Local

Indian police arrest Kashmiris protesting against Malik’s sentencing

Published

1 month ago

27/05/2022

MNN

At least 10 youths were arrested for protesting against a court’s decision to sentence Mohammed Yasin Malik, a prominent Kashmiri pro-independence leader, to life in prison.

Police in India-administered Kashmir have arrested at least 10 people during overnight raids following an anti-India protest that erupted as a court sentenced a prominent Kashmiri pro-independence leader to life in prison.

Thursday’s protest was followed by a clash between dozens of youths and government forces that broke out after the sentencing on Wednesday of Mohammed Yasin Malik.

Malik, 56, is the chief of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), which advocates independence on both sides of Kashmir.

Malik was arrested in 2019 and was convicted last week on charges of committing “terrorist acts”, illegally raising funds, and criminal conspiracy and sedition.

The youths were arrested for “anti-national sloganeering & stone pelting outside home of Yasin Malik,” police wrote in a tweet. They said more people were being identified and would be arrested soon.

Police also tweeted a picture of the arrested standing in a row holding their ears with both hands, in an act that is seen as a form of public humiliation and a way of expressing remorse.

Growing tensions

Making Kashmiri residents hold their earlobes or do sit-ups on the roadside was common in the 1990s, when Indian government forces sought to humiliate people and dissuade them from supporting armed rebels fighting Indian rule in the Himalayan territory.

However, in recent years such practices have largely stopped as a form of punishment.

“The main instigators of this hooliganism will be booked under PSA,” the police tweet said, referring to the Public Safety Act, a harsh law that allows officials to imprison anyone for up to two years without trial.

Muslim-majority Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since British colonialists granted it independence in 1947.

Both countries claim the region in its entirety and have fought two wars over its control.

Source: TRT World

Local

Gov’t does not obstruct freedom of expression: Speaker

Published

3 hours ago

02/07/2022

MNN

Speaker of Parliament Mohamed Nasheed has stated the administration of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih does not obstruct freedom of expression. He made the statement in response to a question at the fifth programme of the Ask Speaker series.

Speaking at the programme, Speaker Nasheed said he has not seen President Solih’s administration try to obstruct freedom of speech and expression, and does not believe there are efforts to do so. However, the speaker stated the constitution does not grant freedom of expression without limits and boundaries. He said these boundaries must be respected, especially when it could affect diplomatic relations established with other countries.

During the programme, Speaker Nasheed was also asked if he might contest in the presidential election next year as an independent candidate after leaving the main ruling party, Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP). In response to this question, the speaker said he hopes to remain at MDP till his last day and would definitely not be seen in another party. He said MDP has a vision for the future, and will seek ways to resolve internal conflicts and implement its development vision for the country.

During the programme, Speaker Nasheed answered questions on parliamentary work, as well as other political and social matters. The speaker highlighted the important work carried out by the parliament across the last two terms, including several important bills.

Source: psmnews

Local

Worsening weather causes seven incidents at sea

Published

2 days ago

30/06/2022

MNN

The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has revealed that seven incidents at sea have been reported due to the worsening weather in the Maldives.

The MNDF stated that the Coast Guard began a search after a passenger went missing after a boat named Cruiser was reportedly capsized on the evening of June 29. The missing person has since been found.

Additionally, the Coast Guard responded to a speedboat named Dengoo Launch, which was reportedly taking on water due to rough seas at 2015hrs near Thulhaagiri resort on June 29. The Coast Guard had controlled the situation and escorted the speedboat to a nearby Loabigili resort.

MNDF revealed that a speedboat named Lucky Star had also reported taking on water and that it was escorted to the harbour in Gaafaru, Kaafu Atoll. Two barges docked at the Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) area were also stopped after they began drifting to Funadhoo.

Furthermore, the Coast Guard responded to a speedboat that had run aground on a lagoon and transported the tourists onboard back to Reethi Rah resort. No one was injured in the incidents that occurred at sea on June 29. Authorities have instructed vessels to only travel after obtaining the latest information on the weather and taking the necessary safety precautions.

Source: psmnews

Local

President briefs cabinet on CHOGM 2022 success, deliberates on current affairs

Published

3 days ago

29/06/2022

MNN

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has convened his cabinet of ministers on June 28 to brief them about his successful visit to attend the 26th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2022 in Kigali, Rwanda, and to deliberate on the current state of affairs in the country. The meeting was held at the President’s Office.

CHOGM 2022 was the first such meeting since the Maldives’ re-accession to the alliance. The Maldives initially joined the Commonwealth of Nations on July 9, 1982, but withdrew membership on October 13, 2016. The Commonwealth accepted the Maldives’ application for re-admission on February 1, 2020, welcoming it as the 54th member and marking the fulfilment of one of President Solih’s administration’s inaugural pledges.

The CHOGM 2022 was themed around “Delivering a Common Future: Connecting, Innovating, Transforming.” Held from June 20-25, CHOGM brought delegates from 54 nations who sought to strengthen multilateral cooperation, explore new opportunities, and address shared challenges facing future generations.

At the meeting, President Solih briefed the ministers on the findings of the cabinet subcommittee investigating the disruption of an event held at the National Stadium on June 21. The cabinet also discussed the latest updates on the COVID-19 pandemic and the recently announced “Gedhoruveriya” and “Binveriya” housing schemes.

Source: psmnews