Indian Troops Pose No Security Threat: CP Hameed

The presence of Indian military personnel posed "no danger" to the Maldives, claimed Commissioner of Police Mohamed Hameed.

Commissioner Hameed stated this during a session of the Parliament Committee on National Security Services (also known as the 241 Committee). The 241 Committee had launched a large-scale inquiry into the possible "ill effects" the "India Out" campaign may have on the Maldives. The "India Out" campaign is a grassroots movement that calls for the removal of Indian military personnel and assets from the Maldives, and for an end to India's undue exertion of political and economic influence over the Maldives.

MP Ahmed Usham (MNP-Vilimale) had asked Commissioner Hameed if he believed that the presence of the Indian military could pose a threat to the Maldives' internal security. Hameed responded that it had not been observed or noted that the presence of the Indian military or persons believed to belong to the Indian military could pose a threat either to national security or internal security.

Hameed had also spoken in a tone that may be construed that he believed that the presence of Indian troops in the Maldives was not a problem.

Justifying the presence of Indian troops, he said that the Maldives maintained defence attaches abroad in other countries, and that foreign troops present in the Maldives would also abide by similar principles.

He said that he had no information on whether Indian military personnel present in the Maldives had contributed to civil unrest or anything that could affect internal security.