Taxi driver arrested for protest over govt taxi plan
Police were forced to intervene, towing several vehicles that had been used to block the road.
A taxi driver has been arrested on charges of obstructing public traffic and police duty during a protest held by drivers on Wednesday night.
The demonstration, organized in opposition to the government’s plan to transfer taxi services to a state-run company, caused disruptions to traffic in the Greater Malé Region.
The arrested individual has been identified as 32-year-old Misbah Shareef of Ma. Naheedheemanzil. According to a police statement, he was taken into custody under a court order as part of their ongoing investigation into the incident.
On Wednesday night, taxi drivers participating in the protest blocked the Hulhulé Highway, a major thoroughfare connecting Malé and Hulhumalé, bringing traffic to a standstill. Police were forced to intervene, towing several vehicles that had been used to block the road.
The protest comes in response to the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation's decision to establish a government-operated taxi service under the ‘Malé Fehi’ program, introduced in July. The initiative aims to launch a modern, safe, and reliable taxi service in the Malé area.
Despite assurances from Transport Minister Mohamed Ameen that the new program would not negatively impact private taxi operators, drivers have expressed concerns over potential loss of income and market competition. Many fear that handing over operations to a government company would undermine their livelihoods.
