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Lawmakers clash with Police, MNDF over parliament lockup

Aishath Mihna Nasih
24 July 2017, MVT 15:45
Lawmakers blocked by Police
Aishath Mihna Nasih
24 July 2017, MVT 15:45

Lawmakers are being forcefully removed from the parliament after they entered the chambers breaking through police barricades.

The gates of Parliament were locked up earlier Monday morning, barring all except admin staff. The parliament lockup is believed to have taken place over opposition lawmakers' attempt to enter the chambers despite Monday's session, which was originally scheduled to debate the motion of no confidence against the parliament speaker, being cancelled. The session was cancelled after the no confidence vote was thrown out of Parliament over lacking enough signatures to file for impeachment against the speaker.

Police and Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) have been active in a number of areas in capital Male including the main activity hub of Jumhoory Party (JP) to hold back lawmakers determined to make it to Parliament.

Amidst the chaos that erupted as MPs stormed the parliament breaking through Police barriers, some lawmakers were severely injured including Kaashidhoo MP Faisal Naseem, who has been taken to ADK Hospital for treatment.

Meanwhile MP Abdulla Shahid has proclaimed on Facebook live that the lawmakers have requested the Secretary General of Parliament to make a decision regarding the parliament sitting which was initially scheduled but later cancelled for Monday.

The clashes between lawmakers and Police and MNDF are heated, with several opposition lawmakers loudly declaring that the locking up the parliament chambers is unlawful and unconstitutional, and calling on Police and MNDF to back down. While a number of lawmakers broke into the parliament building, officers have removed them from the grounds. More police barricades have been set up to hold back the lawmakers and other people gathered at the scene.

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