Thoriq slams UTF pact as threat; urges people to vote for 'independence'

Mahibadhoo MP Ahmed Thorig said on Monday that the country's independence and sovereignty has been threatened by the agreement signed with India to develop the Uthuru Thila Falhu (UTF) for the Maldivian Coastguard, and that the only way out of it is to vote for a PPM-PNC government.

Describing some of the agreements between the Maldivian government and the Indian government as a threat, Thorig made the statement speaking at an opposition coalition rally in L. Mahibadhoo.

Thorig said that many agreements have been made with the Indian government that affect Maldives's independence and sovereignty. One of these agreements is the UTF agreement, he said.

"The agreement was for 15 years of lease. And not to mention the automatic extension of the agreement for 10 years," Thorig said, reiterating the allegations made by the opposition in the past.

He said the construction of a foreign military base not far from the capital city where President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih rules Maldives is an obstacle to Maldives's independence.

"This vote is for our freedom”, Thorig said.

Thorig also expressed his dissatisfaction with the hydrography agreement signed with the Indian government. He said the recent wars are being fought for minerals and oil and if minerals are found in any part of Maldives, India will occupy it.