Former Presidents Mohamed Nasheed and Abdulla Yameen arrived in Gaafu Dhaalu Thinadhoo last night to attend events marking the 60th anniversary of the island's repopulation following its depopulation after the southern uprising.

Nasheed and Yameen were received with a warm welcome in Thinadhoo upon their arrival.

Thinadhoo Mayor Saud Ali and Thinadhoo City Council members greeted the former Presidents. Many residents of the island went to greet them as well.

Nasheed and Yameen attended a cultural show in Thinadhoo last night in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the island being repopulated.

The activities took place under the title "Aabaadhee 60", starting with a float parade. Other activities included planting 60 trees and swimming to nearby uninhabited island Kafena.

It is said that Kafena is the island the people of Thinadhoo who did not have a vessel to board swam to.

In an interview to SanguTv, Thinadhoo Deputy Mayor Nasrullah Ali said that the activity to swim to and from Thinadhoo and Kafena was held to renew that memory.

Along with planting trees and swimming, a family evening also took place last night.

The population of Thinadhoo migrated in 1962 when former President Ibrahim Nasir was Prime Minister, in the name of ending the United Suvadive Republic breakaway state. Thinadhoo was completely plundered, with many people being forced out to sea and dying.

The government granted permission to the population of Thinadhoo that was forced to leave to resettle on the island in 1966.

The Office of Ombudsperson for Transitional Justice, which was formed during former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's government, held hearings to investigate the government's alleged actions when Thinadhoo residents were forced to leave the island. However, the report was not published when the office was absolved.