2 taxi drivers from protest released
Officials have assured that the new service will not disrupt the operations of existing taxi drivers.
Two taxi drivers arrested during last Wednesday night’s protest in Hulhumale were released on Tuesday.
The protest was organised by taxi drivers to oppose the government’s decision to introduce a state-run taxi service. During the demonstration, the Hulhumale highway was blocked, leading to multiple arrests and vehicle seizures.
Key developments include:
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Three drivers were arrested during the protest.
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Two of the arrested drivers were detained for five days.
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Police towed taxis for one month.
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Another driver was arrested last Saturday.
The two drivers detained since Wednesday night were presented at the Hulhumale court on Tuesday. Their release was granted under the condition that they regularly notify the court of their whereabouts and cooperate with authorities.
The Taxi Drivers Association issued a statement on Monday expressing concern over the detention of several taxis, reiterating that some of the seized vehicles were not involved in the protest.
The government previously announced plans to launch a state-owned taxi line, with some vehicles available for day hire. Officials have assured that the new service will not disrupt the operations of existing taxi drivers.
