Police stations seized in support of ousted leader
Source: Agencies |
February 9, 2012, Thursday
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SUPPORTERS of the Maldives former president rioted through the streets and seized some police stations yesterday to demand his reinstatement, as the country's new leader appealed for an end to the political turmoil in the Indian Ocean nation.
Allies said former leader Mohamed Nasheed and other top party officials were beaten by police in the street chaos. The nation's first democratically elected president, Nasheed resigned on Tuesday after police joined protests against his rule and soldiers defected.
Late last night, Nasheed supporters seized some small police stations but larger ones stayed under official control, police spokesman Amhed Shyam said.
Residents told reporters that as many as 10 police stations on small islands may have been seized. The Maldives is made up of nearly 1,200 islands.
President Mohammed Waheed Hassan, the former vice president, took office when Nasheed resigned after police joined relentless street protests against his government.
Hassan yesterday denied claims there was a coup or a plot to oust Nasheed. He said he had not prepared to take over the country and he called for the creation of a unity coalition.
"Together, I am confident, we'll be able to build a stable and democratic country," he said, adding that he intended to respect the rule of law.
Later in the day, Hassan appeared to be consolidating power by appointing a military chief and police commissioner.
Nasheed said he was pushed from power by the armed forces. "I was forced to resign with guns all around me. They told me, if I don't resign, they won't hesitate to use arms," he said.
Speaking to around 2,000 members of his MDP in the capital, Male, he called for Hassan's immediate resignation and demanded the nation's top judge investigate those he said were responsible for his ousting.
Nasheed then led an anti-government demonstration. Police responded by firing tear gas.
"If the police are going to confront us we are going to face them," Nasheed told the rally. "We have to overcome our fear and we have to get strength."
Nasheed's supporters began rioting, throwing fire bombs and vandalizing a private TV station that had been critical of Nasheed's government.
Reeko Moosa Manik, a lawmaker and chairman of the party, was beaten unconscious by police and hospitalized, said his son Mudrikath Moosa. Nasheed and other lawmakers were beaten as well, he said.
Also yesterday, Hassan sought to allay fears that Islamists were gaining power. "They're part of society; you can't ignore them," he said. "But I am planning a multiparty government."
Over the past year, Nasheed, who was elected in 2008, was hit by protests over prices and demands for more religiously conservative policies.
Allies said former leader Mohamed Nasheed and other top party officials were beaten by police in the street chaos. The nation's first democratically elected president, Nasheed resigned on Tuesday after police joined protests against his rule and soldiers defected.
Late last night, Nasheed supporters seized some small police stations but larger ones stayed under official control, police spokesman Amhed Shyam said.
Residents told reporters that as many as 10 police stations on small islands may have been seized. The Maldives is made up of nearly 1,200 islands.
President Mohammed Waheed Hassan, the former vice president, took office when Nasheed resigned after police joined relentless street protests against his government.
Hassan yesterday denied claims there was a coup or a plot to oust Nasheed. He said he had not prepared to take over the country and he called for the creation of a unity coalition.
"Together, I am confident, we'll be able to build a stable and democratic country," he said, adding that he intended to respect the rule of law.
Later in the day, Hassan appeared to be consolidating power by appointing a military chief and police commissioner.
Nasheed said he was pushed from power by the armed forces. "I was forced to resign with guns all around me. They told me, if I don't resign, they won't hesitate to use arms," he said.
Speaking to around 2,000 members of his MDP in the capital, Male, he called for Hassan's immediate resignation and demanded the nation's top judge investigate those he said were responsible for his ousting.
Nasheed then led an anti-government demonstration. Police responded by firing tear gas.
"If the police are going to confront us we are going to face them," Nasheed told the rally. "We have to overcome our fear and we have to get strength."
Nasheed's supporters began rioting, throwing fire bombs and vandalizing a private TV station that had been critical of Nasheed's government.
Reeko Moosa Manik, a lawmaker and chairman of the party, was beaten unconscious by police and hospitalized, said his son Mudrikath Moosa. Nasheed and other lawmakers were beaten as well, he said.
Also yesterday, Hassan sought to allay fears that Islamists were gaining power. "They're part of society; you can't ignore them," he said. "But I am planning a multiparty government."
Over the past year, Nasheed, who was elected in 2008, was hit by protests over prices and demands for more religiously conservative policies.
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