:: Dhivehi Observer :: Peoples Press ::

Military Dictatorship Uncovered: Fragmentation hand grenades in the Maldives?

EDITORIAL by A.S.I.Moosa (Sappe')

This is just another discovery confirming the vile intentions of the military dictatorship in the Maldives. A report by United Kingdom Defence Select Committee, published on 6^th May 2003 is as follows: “ The Government has no concerns that fragmentation hand grenades licensed for export to the Maldives might be used as a component in land mines. The grenades are for use "for security purposes".[27] Although it is hard to imagine for what legitimate security purposes the Maldives might require such grenades, we have no concerns over end-user diversion, and are therefore not unduly alarmed that the export of the grenades was permitted.”^[[1]]

The committee could not think of a legitimate security purpose for this weapon which is commonly known as an infantry weapon.

This British-made grenade was exported in large numbers to several Middle Eastern and Asian nations, and is more common in those parts of the world than in Europe. The grenade mainly a standard sort of fragmentation grenade, but has some interesting features. When the pin is pulled and the grenade is thrown, the safety lever does not fly off, and therefore no loud noise is produced from a spoon hitting the ground. The body is also designed to not produce a loud noise when it lands, causing only a minor thump. The E-105 may be fitted the E-190 tripwire fuse, for use in booby traps and perimeter defence. A case comes with a normal fuse and an E-190 fuse for each grenade. The E-105 is waterproof, and will function underwater^[[2]].

One might wonder why Maldives needs this, as the defence select committee rightly questioned.

Here is another interesting conversation giving you an insight into this weapon. “Life is cheap out there, but I do have to warn you, that’s a fragmentation grenade. It’s designed to kill people” ^[[3]].

"what security purpose? we don't need to buy grenades, we need good education, a better economy and better life!" says a Maldivian student.

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[1] UK Parliament Defence Select Committee Report http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200203/cmselect/cmdfence/474/47406.htm#n27

[2] http://www.pmulcahy.com/hand_grenades/british_hg.htm

[3] http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/today/reports/archive/features/landmines_transcript.shtml