Yoga protesters' intrusion, police admits security failure

The Assistant Commissioner of Maldives Police Service Mr. Ali Shujau has admitted to the failure of security detail at the Galolhu Stadium on June 21.

On Tuesday, previous week, a group of angry protesters chanting religious slogans had barged through the gates of Galolhu Football Stadium and interrupted an ongoing yoga session.

The session was held in commemoration of the International Day of Yoga, celebrated every year on June 21.

The meditation session was hosted by the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment in association with the Indian Cultural Center in Maldives.

During a press conference held on Monday evening, Mr. Shujau had admitted on the shortcomings of the law enforcement department during the angry altercation.

He further claimed that the law enforcement department handled several previous and more intense situations comparatively in a more professional and effective manner.

"We admit that our security detail at the stadium failed since there was a notable breach," Shujau said.

Shujau further affirmed that the authority is conducting an inquiry to assess on the security breach, adding that the details will be publicly disclosed once the inquiry was completed.

He also asserted proper readiness of the law enforcement department in the future towards crowd controlling measures.

According to the Assistant Commissioner of Police, the department was not provided with all the relevant information prior to the event, which was disclosed only after the security detail had arrived at the stadium venue.

While speaking about other details of the incident, Mr. Shujau revealed that a total of six foreign ambassadors were present at the stadium venue at the time of incidence.

Following the debacle, local authorities had arrested several suspects for the alleged involvement and instigation of the protest.

Among the detainees include two local religious scholars and high-ranking official of the opposing Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM).

Police suspect the banners and equipment used by the mob during previous Tuesday's incident were supplied by the prime opposition party, an allegation the party has since denied.