Main Opposition party MPD has expressed concern over reports in the Maldivian media of foreign naval/coast guard personnel stopping and searching the Maldivian fishing vessel, ADH. Mahibadhoo Asurumaa 3, while it was operating in the Maldives exclusive economic zone.
In a statement, MDP called upon the Government to look into this incident as a matter of urgent priority.
The Opposition party said that it is incumbent upon the Government to share this development with the Governments of India and Sri Lanka, to ascertain whether their respective personnel was involved in this incident.
MDP recounted that monitoring of the Maldives’ Exclusive Economic Zone falls to the Maldives National Defence Force.
It went on to call upon the authorities to ensure that Maldives' territorial waters are safe and secure for Maldivian fishers, seafarers, and travelers.
The Maldivian Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam confirmed that foreign troops had stopped and boarded the local vessel while it was traveling within Maldivian borders. He said that the Ministry's vessel monitoring system shows that the local vessel was with the Maldives Special Economic Zone when it was stopped by the foreign vessel.
Photos are circulating on social media showing an Indian coastguard ship stopped near the local vessel in question and the military personal appear to armed with guns.
