Huge success in spite of intimidation

Expedition of Dhekunu Arumaz traveling to the islands of South Maldives in order to gain support for an interim arrangement has revealed that although people were in fear, the expedition received a huge support.

A participant of Dhekunu Arumaz speaking to Miadhu via telephone while the meeting at Villingili was going on said the people were in fear. According to him when they visited the houses in order to provide information on transitional government the people had informed them that they were very afraid of the government. According to the informant only 300 people attended the meeting.

The expedition of Dhekunu Arumaz of the National Unity Alliance which commenced on the 21 of this month is joined by senior members of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), Adhaalth Party, Islamic Democratic Party (IDP), Social Liberal Party (SLP) and New Maldives Movement.

At the meeting held at Gahdhoo, Dr. Shaheed, Dr. Munnawar, Umar Naseer and many members of the MDP Parliamentary Group spoke. According to information received Dr. Shaheed went to Gahdhoo on a special request from the people of Gahdhoo.

Miadhu’s attempts to contact Chairperson of MDP Mohamed Nasheed (Anni) were unsuccessful. Anni is reportedly on Dhekunu Arumaz.

According to the person from the expedition who provided information to Miadhu, they faced some difficulties in Fuvahmulak, Gahdhoo and Villingili. Some committees had allegedly paid Rf50, 000 to people not to welcome the expedition. But some people, had accepted the money and still came out to greet the expedition, while others claim that they did not accept any money but said they too were offered said a member of the expedition speaking from Fuvahmulak.

The person who provided information to Miadhu said that the Island Chief Fuvahmulk was not very supportive. According to him, the Island Chief had the people under intimidation. Miadhu was unable to obtain a comment from the Island Chief.

According to Siddeeq who provided information via telephone the Island Chief had threatened to take away their farm lands. However Siddeeq claimed that many people informed him that they “needed a change”.

Dhekunu Arumaz will travel to Mulak of Vaavu Atoll and from there it will return to Male’. According to information a total of 130 people are onboard.