:: Dhivehi Observer :: Peoples Press ::

Newly Formed Maldives Police Sinks to Gayyoom's Dirty Politics

by Mariyam Mohamed - 23 October 2004

Some 37 Cases of thefts were reported during the first three days of Ramadan, according to official figures. The actual incidents of theft and armed robbery will be much higher considering half of the cases were not reported.

"This is a high number of thefts considering the short period the thefts took place. Thefts have become a major problem". Said Chief inspector Ibrahim Khaleel.

Also he advised the people to be on their guard and use "quality strong locks".

But is this the only solution? Why the sudden rise of Robberies and other Crimes?

The issue had been discussed earlier in DO article "Crime is on the rise again in the capital Male".

The Maldives police had created an alibi that Robberies raise in Ramadan. But most people are not buying this Malarkey. They are seeing the cause of the robberies with their own naked eyes.

A simple look around Male', nowadays you will find most of the famous names in the Drug dealing business "PARTEYS" Past and present. No wonder there's too much of a rise in crime.

The recently Split Division of the NSS, now the MPS - Maldives Police Services is the responsible Authority to Control it. A monthly salary of MRf 3,000 to 6,000 is paid for even low to middle rankings officers. This is one the highest salary handed to any Government personals.

The official Budget for defence for 2004 is Mrf 423 Million. Analysts say the unofficial figure maybe twice the amount.

But the fact remains is that Both the NSS and MPS acts as a body not to defend the public from dangers, but solely to Protect Maumoon and his cronies and to assist them in their illicit activities.

This Ramadan was a good opportunity for the newly formed MPS to gain respect and to prove to the public that they are politically independent group of people acting to protect the public from dangers and to assist them.

The Powers that be in police had ordered not to be serious in Crime related matters but to concentrate more in arresting reformers and stop gatherings etc. As a result the public is confused as to what needs to be done after a robber is caught. Do you hand over the thief to the police or do you take justice into your own hands?

"We had caught this robber and had handed to him to the police this morning, but in the afternoon he had returned threatened us in abusive language and told us that he will be released in moments if arrested again. So how can we trust the police"? Said a Male' resident who didn't want to be named.

This Conduct by the police had produced some negative results. Criminals all over Male' are getting an extra boost knowing that they will be released in these political times. While some people had resorted to taking justice to their own hands. A number of Red-handed captured thieves ultimately had been nearly beaten to death by a mob of people.

Even the work of the police had been quite a puzzle. The Black Friday Incident had been dubbed as a National Security Threat that the NSS was handling. But now we are seeing MPS Police guarding the Detainees in Hospital and Homes. No wonder there's no police in important areas like the Local Market Area where thieves are running rampant.

Police Van and Policemen are sometimes the Servants of the higher officials. They are used frequently, sometimes Fish, groceries to Picnic items are being carried in Police or NSS Vans to their officials homes.

One thing is clear the Defense will do things that are important to them in half a second.

It didn't take 48 Hours to round up all the Suspects of the Black Friday Incident and lock them in jail. Why is the Police finding a hard time arresting famous Drug lords? And the Cases of the Black Friday detainees now in court is going at a surprisingly fast speed. Expected the case will be finished and detainees charged in the next couple of months. Evan Naseem Case had been going for more than a year now? Drugs are heavily imported to the country. Why not even a single hand gun, bullet or even a small firecracker?

Its all clear now that splitting the NSS to hundred parts won't help. The Same people are there running the same old show.

The NSS and Police are there to only Protect Maumoon and his cronies by hook or crook with with or without respect to the Constitution of Maldives. The NSS or Police will engage in helping the public only in their free time should they have any. Maumoon should always be the priority.

Every time when large number of people begins to show dissatisfaction to Maumoon's illegal rule of Maldives, he will free the Drug lords and all other criminals just to intimidate the public. The NSS and Police are like Puppets to Maumoon and the other hardliners in the government.

Perhaps its time for some name changes. Here are a few suggestions;

NSS - Nasreena's Security Service
MPS - Maumoon's Personal Security