The Hindu : National : Freeze on political rallies in Maldives

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Wednesday, Sep 07, 2005

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Freeze on political rallies in Maldives

Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Maldives Government has placed a two-week moratorium on political party rallies.

Commissioner of Elections and Registrar of Political Parties, K. D. Ahmed Maniku, summoned officials of all parties to inform them of the decision to freeze rallies until September 20.

The ban comes in the backdrop of the trial next week of Mohamed Nasheed, main Opposition party leader, the second anniversary of the killing of a prisoner in jail and an attack on policemen at an Opposition rally in Male on Sunday night.

Mohamed Hussain Shareef, Chief Government spokesman, said the moratorium was imposed to uphold public peace and security after intelligence reports said that certain elements were plotting violence in connection with the second anniversary of the murder of Hassan Evan Naseem and the shooting incident in Maafushi jail on September 19 and 20 in 2003.

He said the rally held by the Maldives Democratic Party on Sunday night was the first political rally since the disturbances in Male last month. ``Unfortunately, those responsible chose to resort to further incitement of hatred and calls for subversive activity.''

``Given the inability of the MDP to abide by commitments aimed at preserving peace and order on the streets of Male, we are faced with no choice but to impose this moratorium,'' he said.

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