BREAKING NEWS

BREAKING NEWS
7 October 2007
Report: Soodh

Police are looking for terror suspects in Himandhoo

Maldives Police are conducting searches in Himandhoo of Alifu Alifu Atoll, for suspects that have links to the September 29 explosion at Sultan Park.

Speaking to Velidhoo News Service, Media Coordinator of Maldives Police Services said that with the explosion at Sultan Park on the 29 September, police are on the look out any one that have links to the blast, and in this regard, Maldives Police are carrying out searches of houses in Alifu Alifu Himandhoo. Large number of police was sent as some resident of the island were preventing the police from searching suspected houses.

According to information received from Alifu Alifu Atoll Office, about 80 police officers are in Himandhoo engaged in searches of suspected houses. Atoll Office also reveals that police carrying out the searches for any person or persons that may have links to the explosion and that some residents are preventing police officers from entering some houses to conduct the search. According to Atoll Office, police have logged their complaints and the matter has been discussed with the police officers.

Himandhoo Katheeb Ibrahim Abdul Rahman confirms to Velidhoo News Service that the police are in Himandhoo and are engaged in search of any one who may have links to the Sultan Park explosion of September 29. He also said that he does not any further information.

According to Katheeb Abdul Rahman, Himandhoo is an island where tensions are high among the residents due to sectarian influences. He also said the issue has been brought to the attention of concerned authorities; however a solution is still to be sought.
When Katheeb Abdul Rahman gave information to Velidhoo News on the 19 of last September, 8 Himandhoo residents came to Velidhoo News office to protest. They said that even in Male’ everybody does not offer their prayers together in one mosque and to offer prayers in deferent mosques in Male’ does not necessarily mean that a certain type of group is offering prayer at a specific mosque. As such they also can pray in a specific place.

People of Himandhoo are religious extremists. Himandhoo Katheeb speaking to Velidhoo News on September 18 said that he has received information that some religious fanatics were planning to mark the day of Badr, the first religious war Prophet Mohamed fought. However he noted that the occasion was not marked.

VELIDHOO COMMUNITY