Miladhoo update: Islanders back to normal life after locking island office

After 6 days since the islanders took control of the island administration in Noonu Miladhoo, the government is not responding to them and the islanders have now locked the island office and have gone back to their normal lives, islanders from Miladhoo have informed Miadhu Daily.

An islander from Miladhoo, talking to Miadhu Daily on phone said that the people had gone back to their normal lives after locking the island office and court and the people are not surrounding the island office now. But he said that the place is still sheltered.

Another islander from Miladhoo said that they are waiting till the authorities come to open the office, but the authorities could only do it after answering the islanders.

“The islanders will come out of their houses if the authorities come to open the office. They can open the office only after answering us. But we believe that the government has power and force. They could open the office by means of using force” he said.

The informant said that the islanders are amazed of what is happening as there had been no response from the government to the voice of people. He said that he wonders if there is a government in Maldives.

“We are amazed. There is no response from the government to our cries. I wonder whether there is a government here, its been a week since important government institutions are locked here… We did not give any warning to the government. We are saying that there is peace from us to whoever comes to deal with the matter….” He said.

Noonu Miladhoo Island chief Mohamed Hassan said yesterday that there is no change in the situation of the island, but the people have gone to their homes after locking the island office. He said that he appeals from the islanders every day to open the office, but the islanders refuse. He said that the atoll office also tells him to open the office and go on with paper work.

“What could I do to open the office? Every day, I am going to the islanders are appealing to open the office. They are telling that it cannot be done. Atoll office is telling to open the island office and go on with the work” Island Chief said. The island chef tells that the cries from the people that they are not getting basic necessities are true.

We were unable to contact the atoll office and the atoll chief on the matter.

The islanders of Noonu Miladhoo surrounded and locked the island office and court last Sunday morning at 7:30. The reason behind this was, according to the islanders are that they have not been getting some essential services such as fresh water, sewage system, electricity problems and harbor.