Commissioner of Police Mohamed Hameed says investigation into the fire that burnt down 7 vessles docked in Mahibadhoo harbor has shown that this was an arson attack carried out by an individual or group of people.
Briefing local media on the latest updates from the investigation, Commissioner Hameed said police has acquired clear evidence that proves that an arson attack completely destroyed the five speedboats and two dinghies. The vessels had included two sea-ambulances and one police speedboat.
Hameed said police believed that the vessels were attacked because of Police operations against radical thinking as well as its ongoing efforts against narcotics abuse and traffic. He pointed out that a group of people had burnt down a police speedboat docked at L.Gan harbor on March 22. Commissioner said police had busted a major narcotic trafficking operation in Gan and the attack on the police speedboat stemmed from frustration and anger at the bust.
Commissioner said certain other crimes committed against police and their work relate to Police operations to erase radical thinking in the country.
Speaking on the matter Chief of Defense Force Major General Abdullah Shamal said the fight against global pandemic Covid-19 remained the top priority for the armed forces. Shamal urged that no one should take advantage of this situation and jeopardize national security. He said it would be disgraceful act when the whole country is disheartened by the latest Covid-19 situation.
Shamal said burning of the two sea-ambulances would pose additional difficulties at a time like this and that a police vessel and a vessel used by the island council was also burnt down.
He said that these were massive damages and that MNDF wont tolerate such acts of violence.
