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Uthuru Thilafalhu harbour will be under Maldivian control: Major General Shamal

17 March 2021, MVT 11:03
Top MNDF officials participating in the press conference held regarding the Uthuru Thilafalhu harbour agreement. PHOTO: AHMED AWSHAN ILYAS/ MIHAARU
17 March 2021, MVT 11:03

Chief of Defence Force Major General Abdulla Shamal, on Tuesday, asserted that the Coast Guard harbour being developed at Uthuru Thilafalhu would be fully under the ownership and management of the Maldivian government.

Speaking at a press conference held by a panel consisting of nine of the ten serving generals in the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), Shamal stated that he "would like to openly and clearly state that the facility would be 100 percent under Maldivian ownership and will be operated by Maldives' national defence force".

Major General Shamal further assured that the agreement with India posed no security threats to Maldives or its citizens, noting that no foreign military personnel would be stationed at the base following development.

Disclosing details of the project planned for Uthuru Thilafalhu, Shamal stated that the Coast Guard harbour would involve the construction of a 300-metre quay with the capacity to dock marine vessels carrying 500 tonnes. He added that MNDF and the Ministry of Defence were also considering the possibility of utilising the harbour for a certain extent of commercial activity.

Several members of the public have particularly expressed concern regarding rumours that armed Indian military officers would be stationed at the base.

The press conference was held in response to former Minister of Home Affairs Umar Naseer leaking a document that he claimed to be a draft of the agreement reached with the Indian government to develop a Coast Guard harbour at Uthuru Thilafalhu.

MNDF has strongly denied the validity of the document and any of the details mentioned in it.

Parliamentary representative for Alifushi constituency Mohamed Rasheed Hussain submitted an emergency motion to parliament in order to investigate the Uthuru Thilafalhu matter on Tuesday.

Vilimale' MP Ahmed Usham also requested that the agreement be shared with the Parliamentary Committee on National Security services, commonly known as 241 Committee.

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