Specialist Operations (SO) police personnel have been made mandatory to seek permission from the police commissioner.

Ghiyasuddin International School (GIS) had granted permission to hold a meeting to form the People's National Front (PNF), headed by former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, last night, but the permission was later revoked.

GIS, through Education Ministry, also sought Police intervention to stop the PNF inaugural meeting. SO Police had closed Ghiyaasuddin International School's gate where PNF's inaugural meeting was scheduled to be held, leading to confrontations between police and PNF supporters.

In a statement issued on Wednesday night, the Ministry of Home Affairs said the review report on the police's conduct as directed by President Dr. Muizzu has been submitted to him today and the President, through Home Minister Ali Ihsan, has directed CP Ali Shujau to take immediate action.

Immediate steps to be taken:

  • The police of specialist operations should be engaged in redefining operational conditions and doing so with the direct permission of the Commissioner of Police before deploying them
  • Restructuring the operational command and control of the police and addressing the existing challenges
  • The professional standards command of the police should investigate the deployment of SO officers to Ghiyasuddin International School and take legal action against them if there is negligence on the part of anyone
  • Review the procedure followed in providing information to the media in operational situations and to make it more transparent and detailed to disclose information to the public
  • The Use of Force Review Committee should look into the use of force by the special operations police at Ghiyasuddin International School and take necessary actions

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said that the government's vision is to provide a compassionate, competent, professional and accountable police service to the people of the Maldives.

Speaking to the press outside Muliaage following the exchange of Eid greetings, President Dr. Muizzu said that his Administration will not summon anyone to the authorities over political differences.

He further added that the Administration will not issue orders against anyone based on political grounds and that he will take action against anyone who issues such orders.

President Dr. Muizzu expressed his displeasure at how the issue was handled, adding that SO police were dispatched against his clear instructions. The President has asked the Home Minister and Commissioner of Police to submit the investigation report to him.