MDP rally begins in Male' demanding the removal of unelected members from the parliament :: Maldives News :: Dhivehi Observer

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A dummy representing Golhaabo found hung last night in front of Mercury Light, Male'

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MDP rally begins in Male' demanding the removal of unelected members from the parliament

14 May 2006

Male' - 23:41 - Large crowd near Mercury Light and possibly heading to Parliament Square again. Activist Sherin amongst those arrested.

Male' - 23:10 - Crowd have split into different groups to minimise the attack from Golhaabo. Large crowd near Star Cinema, confirms eyewitness. Thugs under the commands of Golhaabo's nephew Hamdhoo operating from their command centre in Henveiru School reports say. More than 100 thugs including former students of Henveiru School are involved.

Male' - 23:08 - Spokesman for 'Havaru' say they are monitoring the situation on the ground and may call their members to join the rally and defend the public. We condemn these barbaric acts of the Dictator. We are closely watching the progress of this rally, and will take action if needed," said the source.

Male' - 22:50 - Confirmed reports say that Golhaa's Home Minister Thasmeen and Golhaa's brother Yameen were put in charge of organising the militia and the thugs. In addition to Gabey Latheef Jr. and Chikaa, Fori Waheed's son Azim was also put in charge of 50 thugs armed with iron bars and machetes. Crowd regrouping in numbers despite the use of force, tear gas and multiple arrests.

Male' - 22:43 - Golhaa Force using excessive force and many have been arrested.

Male' - 22:39 - Golhaa Forces have used tear gas to disperse the crowd. Some clashes and several are reportedly injured including old women who were in the front of the rally. MDP head office surrounded by Golhaa's Military, several leading and senior members are inside.

Male' - 22:23 - Minivan Radio Producer and Senior Reporter Shaheeda arrested by Golhaa Force.

Male' - 22:10 - Sources say that all the indications are that this demonstration will go right into the night. Request coming from the crowd for water bottles and fastfood.

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More pictures from MDP website

see the list of unelected members

Male' - 21:51 - Demonstrators are now near the Parliament Building and Golhaa Force have blockaded the road. Crowd are now at a stand still surrounding the nearby road. Thugs who attacked have now dispersed. MDP leading members including several MPs are leading the demonstration.

Male' - 21:45 - Reports are coming that the thugs with masks broke into the crowd of demonstrators and beat up several near Majeedhee Magu and Sosun Magu junction.

Male' - 21:36 - Reports are coming that more than a 100 thugs armed with iron bars led by Gabey Latheef Junior is heading the way of the demonstrators and a possible conflict may arise. Known thug and drug dealer Chikaa is also amongst the commanders of these Golhaa thugs sources say.

Male' - 21:16 - The demonstrators are now passing Olympus and heading towards Artificial beach. No sign of Golhaa Force and no problems reported. The atmosphere is euphoric. "Wish we could finish this once and for all, we want to remove Golhaabo even tonight, if our leaders are ready, we are ready" said Mohamed from the crowd.

Male' - 21:00 - The crowd is now passing Le Cute shop in Majeedhee Magu. They are calling for the removal of appointed MPs and some sources say the rally will continue long into the night. "We want to continue this rally until Golhaabo's slaves are removed from the parliament," said Rasheed from the crowd.

Male' - 20:30 - The rally to call for the removal of 29 appointed members from the parliament has just begun and sources confirm that the crowd is already well over thousand. The rally began from the western side of Male' near the social centre and they are walking towards the eastern side along Majeedhee Magu. We will bring live updates as we get more information.