Violence, vandalism linked to gangs; 16 arrested
Noting that the police will take further action in the wake of the violence, Hameed appealed to the people to be cautious against such dangerous people.
Police commissioner Mohamed Hameed said on Saturday that 16 people have been arrested so far in connection with the recent violence in Male as well as the vandalism of the Juice Time cafe in Hulhumale on Thursday night.
The police are yet to officially release the latest information on these cases. Commissioner Mohamed Hameed gave an interview to Adhadhu news outlet on Saturday. When contacted by Atoll Times, Hameed did not respond to calls.
Hameed told Adhadhu:
-
Recent incidents of attacks using sharp weapons in Male area have been carried out by two gangs called Kudahenveiyru and 'NC'
-
The series of attacks comes in the wake of a dispute between two members of the two gangs earlier this year
-
Vandalism of Hulhumale cafe is linked to a dispute between two gangs named Massodi and Vaikammathi
Sixteen people have been arrested in connection with these cases in the last two months and investigations have been launched, Hameed said in the interview.
Hameed pointed out that those involved in the violent crimes hid their identity by wearing helmets and changing the number plates of motorcycles they used. He also alleged that members of these gangs used various 'safe houses' to escape.
Four such 'safe houses' were raided and various types of weapons were recovered from them, Hameed said.
Noting that the police will take further action in the wake of the violence, Hameed appealed to the people to be cautious against such dangerous people. Thus:
-
He urged people to report to the police about street discipline violations, activities outside the general social norms and suspicious behaviour of violence
-
He urged people to report to the police if they notice people wearing helmets and covering their faces
-
He called upon the families of gang members to counsel and advise them
-
Also called on the families to talk to them about the harm caused to others by such violence
The 30-year-old Maldivian man, who was stabbed on Friday night, the most recent victim of these ongoing series of attacks in Male, is on ventilator support. He was attacked at around 10 pm inside the cosmetics's 'Krasa' shop in Maafannu ward, Muranga Magu when two men wearing helmets barged into the shop, two people told Atoll Times.
Last month, a man was stabbed to death near Charcoal Cafe on Lonuziyaarai Magu, while in the middle of this month, a man was stabbed to death near Villimale ferry terminal.
