Man arrested for cutting cables in electric box near MDP hub

Police on Friday arrested an individual for cutting all the cables in an electricity box providing electricity to opposition Maldivian Democratic Party's hub and nearby residences.

Police said that they arrested Ismail Sameem, 29, Naseemee Villa, Sh. Milandhoo, from the scene of the incident.

Police said that the cutting of the cables in the STELCO electricity distribution panel had led to power cuts in seven residences.

The cables were cut at at a time when MDP was preparing to commence a rally from the party hub. This led to allegations that the act had been carried out to obstruct the party's activities.

Cutting and stealing cables in electricity boxes has become common over recent years, where the perpetrators aim to sell on the copper found in the cables.