Police chief alleges deliberate attempt to obstruct traffic operation in bridge highway crash
The officer was injured while carrying out duties at a vehicle checkpoint established on the bridge highway.
Commissioner of Police Ahmed Mohamed has alleged that a motorcycle crash that seriously injured a police officer on the bridge highway early Friday morning was a deliberate attempt to obstruct an ongoing police operation against dangerous driving.
In a statement issued following the incident, Mohamed said police believed the act was intended to intimidate officers involved in maintaining road safety and undermine their enforcement efforts.
The officer was injured while carrying out duties at a vehicle checkpoint established on the bridge highway.
According to the police commissioner, a motorcycle travelling at more than 100 kilometres per hour approached officers stationed on the highway and struck a police barricade before colliding with an officer on duty.
The officer sustained serious injuries, including facial wounds and broken teeth, and is receiving treatment in hospital.
Mohamed condemned the incident and said police had identified three other motorcycles believed to have been involved.
Police have seized the motorcycle involved in the collision and arrested the two people riding it.
Two additional individuals and another motorcycle linked to the incident have also been located and taken into police custody.
The commissioner said the circumstances indicated that the incident was not an ordinary traffic accident but an intentional act aimed at intimidating officers and disrupting the police operation.
He said the Maldives Police Service would continue taking legal action against motorists whose driving endangered road users and created fear among members of the public.
Mohamed also assured the public that police would not be deterred by physical or psychological threats directed at officers carrying out their duties.
He said police would continue their efforts to maintain road safety and enforce traffic laws despite attempts to obstruct their work.
The commissioner further warned that the police operation targeting dangerous driving would continue and that legal action against those attempting to interfere with enforcement activities would be strengthened in accordance with the law.
The incident comes amid an operation by the Maldives Police Service targeting dangerous driving and other traffic violations on the bridge highway.
