Occupying protestors leave Hulhidhoo after government agrees to talks

Protests in Hulhidhoo island where people from Vaavu atoll had gathered in protest calling for the return of the island to the people decided to end the protest and leave the island on Friday after the government agrees to talks over the uninhabited island which had been leased to a private company for agricultural purposes.

A group of people from the atoll, accompanied by president of the atoll council Shujau Ali arrived in Hulhidhoo Thursday morning, with the objective of ensuring their voice reached the government. 

According to the protesters, police had arrived on the island on Friday evening and threatened to arrest them if they did not disembark by 9.30pm. However, they said that as an agreement had already been reached with the President's Office and the authorities for the time being, they had decided to call off the protest and leave the island for now.

Shujau, who is leading the initiative, said the President's Office has assured that the concerns of the people will be discussed and resolved by next Thursday.

He also said the protesters imposed another condition after the President's Office gave them assurance; asking the police to monitor the island once they disembarked. Shujau said the protesters made the request so as not to allow the Aarah company to cover up what they had been doing on the island.

"They have made setups to show they had begun farming, we found it when we came and checked. Therefore, if we leave now, they will, for sure, do something more to cover up," Shujau said.

"[The authorities] have to be assured that the situation on the island now is real. We shall leave right now if the police stationed in Felidhoo are entrusted with the responsibility of monitoring the island."

There has been no word from the President's Office on the matter yet.

Five years ago, Hulhuidhoo was leased for agricultural purposes to a company called Aarah Investment, according to government records. The company's shareholders are foreign nationals and former MP Yusuf Naeem, who has been charged and tried in connection with the MMPRC scam.

Shujau told Atoll Times on Thursday that although Hulhidhoo was leased for agricultural purposes, the concept of the island was designed to include tourism components such as water sports, a futsal ground and café. Shujau described the concept as confusing and completely in contrast with the agreement made with the state.

There are 19 islands in Vaavu atoll, of which five are inhabited. The remaining islands are leased to businesses long-term. There are no islands in the atoll for the use of the people. Therefore, the people are hoping that the island of Anbara, which is in the same boat as Hulhidhoo will be given back to the people since the agreements made with them have been nullified.

Shujau noted that the chair of the parliament's Decentralisation Committee and Hulhumale' MP Ali Niyaz as well as the Local Government Authority (LGA) CEO Afshan Latheef will attend the discussions as intermediators.

"All of them have assured us that in this situation there will be no further changes or damages to the island, and that they will work with all the agencies to ensure it," Shujau said.

"So, we now keep confidence in these authorities."