Hundreds of Maldivians took the streets on Monday demanding reforms, after violent weekend demonstrations injured scores and led to the arrest of 52 people, police said. Protesters, led by former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom's Dhivehi Raiyyithunge Party, had gathered in the crowded capital of Male for the third day, demanding the government ease food prices and curb rising unemployment.
Eyewitnesses said riot police were patrolling the streets, as around 2,000 demonstrators, mostly young people, slowly made their way to Male's Youth Square. Protesters, which included parliamentarians, were demanding President Mohammed Nasheed's resignation for failing to ease their economic plight, eyewitnesses said.
"The ruling party, in turn, is gathering their supporters, they are encouraging their activists to attack the protest campaign," opposition spokesman Mohammed Shareef told AFP by telephone. Police in riot gear on Sunday, used tear gas and batons to disperse the large crowds, alleging the activists hurled petrol bombs, stones and packets of chillies towards law enforcement officers. Police spokesman Ahamed Shiyam told AFP by telephone from Male that 52 people were arrested over Sunday's violence that left at least 10 officers with serious injuries.
Shiyam said Sunday's violence had damaged a few shops and residents in the vicinity and urged organisers to restrain their supporters. He said most of those arrested were aligned to street gangs and involved in crimes. Nasheed, who was often jailed for protesting against Gayoom autocratic regime, unseated the 30-year-old dictator in the country's first multi-party election in 2008. But his administration has been dogged by allegations of graft, financial mismanagement and curbing political dissent.
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