Chairperson of Artist Community, Ahmed Azmee Haleem (Baachy), expressed concern in a social media post, noting this was not the first such incident. He called for a permanent solution to improve safety and security measures at the gallery.
Concerns are growing over security at the National Art Gallery after repeated thefts, with the latest incident involving the cutting and theft of electrical cables last Friday during an exhibition of Maldivian artists.
The gallery remains without electricity since the theft.
Chairperson of Artist Community, Ahmed Azmee Haleem (Baachy), expressed concern in a social media post, noting this was not the first such incident. He called for a permanent solution to improve safety and security measures at the gallery.
I am deeply troubled by the repeated theft of electric cables from the art gallery. This has occurred several times now, becoming more than just an inconvenience. It’s not the responsibility of the artists to secure the gallery’s electricity. The NCA and gallery management need… pic.twitter.com/jbMJCIuih8
— baachy (@baachy2013) October 4, 2024
"It's not the responsibility of the artists to secure the gallery’s electricity. The NCA and gallery management need to take more decisive action to address this problem," Baachy said.
Mihaaru News reported that this marks the third time the gallery, located in a high security green zone monitored by police and the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), has had its power cables stolen.
In another instance, perpetrators climbed onto the gallery's roof and stole outdoor units of six air conditioners.
The cases have been submitted to the police for investigation, but no resolution has been found to date. Police have yet to comment on the most recent theft.