Report: Soodh
- 2 police officers reportedly taken hostage
Yesterday Maldives Police invited members of the media to witness how they carry out these searches. Yesterday morning approximately 11.20, when Police with the media team arrived in Himandhoo, a group of people from the breakaway group had gathered on the western side of the island. The group had masked their faces and was wearing helmets. They were armed with wooden clubs and iron rods and were ready for confronting the police. During the search, a young woman clad in buruga wearing a face veil was taken in to custody. Police reports that this young woman is 16 years old, and had been taken to Himandhoo without the knowledge of her parents and is now married. The confrontation began at approximately 4.30 in the afternoon. Police issued repeated warnings to the breakaway group to lay down their arms, to leave the area and to uncover their faces. Police also informed them repeatedly that they were not there to confront them but to carry out investigations on some civil issues. The breakaway group informed police that police too should lay down their arms, to take off their helmets, protective amour and to switch off their cameras. The breakaway group informed the police that they were there to protect the mosque, which is used exclusively by the group, and that last year also during the month of Ramazan police had destroyed their mosques. After repeated warnings, police attempted to disperse the group, breakaway group resisted by throwing fire balls and stones at the police. The group fought with the police who were in full riot gear, with iron bars and wooden clubs. There were heavy casualties on both sides. 5 people from the group were arrested during the confrontation, some were seriously injured. 5 police officers also sustained serious injuries. One officer has been brought to Male’ last night for medical treatment and is in IGMH. When the confrontation became too violent, members of the media were taken back to the launch and was sent back to Male’. Injured police officer was also brought back to Male’ in the same launch. According to unofficial sources, confrontations went on till 8pm and after that both parties have withdrawn. Speaking to Velidhoo News, a resident A Himandhoo resident speaking to Velidhoo News said that even after the confrontations the mosque still remains under the full control of the breakaway gang and those members of the gang are still active. Although it is difficult to estimate how many of the breakaway gang were out to confront the police officers, the group included women, children and elderly people as well. Velidhoo News has been unable to verify the injuries sustained by the breakaway group. However, according to Velidhoo News Service reporter at the scene they too received severe injuries as well. Breakaway group told reporters yesterday, that they offer their prayers in a separate mosque because some resident of Himandhoo prevent them from using the mosque built by the government and that the Imam of that mosque is not fit to lead the congregation as he sometimes misses out on his prayer.
Maldives Police Services on Saturday began searching the houses of Alifu Alifu Himandho for any terror suspects that have links to the blast of September 29 at Sultan Park. Police on Saturday at a press conference held at their headquarters, said their activities in the island of Himandhoo includes conducting of investigations of some civil issues as well. Assistant Commissioner of Police Abdulla Riyaz also said that more police officers were dispatched to the island as some residents were preventing them from entering some houses in order to conduct the search. 
of Himandhoo said during the confrontations the breakaway group had taken 2 police officers as hostage. However police denies the claim. Velidhoo News has learnt from reliable sources that additional police officers and members from the armed forces with arms have been sent to Himandhoo.
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