Wednesday
24th Apr 2024
Dhivehi Edition
Opposition Coalition’s interim leader Progressive Congress Party’s leader Abdul Raheem Abdulla. Photo: TMJ
President of People's National Congress (PNC) and incumbent President of Progressive Congress Coalition Abdul Raheem Abdulla (Adhurey) has stated that although Maldives Democratic Party (MDP) has passed a motion to declare a State of Emergency and apprehend terrorists, there is no such situation.
PNC President Adhurey claimed it is unclear what MDP is attempting to accomplish by declaring a state of emergency, and while the party has passed a motion to arrest terrorists, it is unclear who they are referring to. "Terrorists or extremists have not been defined. Who are they trying to apprehend then?", he asked.
Speaking on the motion, Adhurey warned that if the government chooses to follow it, it would create a sense of panic within the nation. He stated that he believed a state of emergency should have been announced to apprehend the culprits of the May 6 attack and that steps against acts of terrorism must be taken immediately.
However, he inquired who MDP is attempting to arrest by declaring a state of emergency after the police have stated that the main culprits have been apprehended and that the investigation is going well.
"I'm not denying the presence of extremist beliefs in this country. But it is unclear who they are trying to arrest. How will they identify extremists? Will they be arrested due to the length of their beards or type of clothing?"
Adhurey speculated that the government has remained silent on the matter as it is a point of discussion between President Solih Ibrahim Mohamed and former President Mohamed Nasheed.