Friday
19th Apr 2024
Dhivehi Edition
Defence Minister Mariya Didi. Photo: TMJ
Speaking to the press today Defence Minister Mariya Didi announced that the recent spate of fire incidents in Male' and the Atolls are being carried out by a group of individuals ahead of the upcoming presidential elections.
According to Minister Didi, who was on the scene to assess the damage caused by a fire at an auction house, similar incidents have occurred in the past during election season. Commissioner of Police Mohamed Hameed confirmed that the police have launched a full investigation into the fires.
It should be noted that this is not the first time that Male' and the Atolls have experienced fire incidents in recent months. In November, a house in Male' city was engulfed in flames, and in December, a fire broke out at Gulhifalhu, caused by employees of India's Afcons construction company, which is currently building the Thilamale' Bridge.
While Minister Didi made thinly-veiled accusations against the opposition in connection with the fires, it is important to remember that the Minister's own party, the MDP, was responsible for large-scale arson attacks that took place in the country on February 8th, 2012.