The Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) has asked for a group of people who attempted to enter a coast guard harbor without permission on Sunday to be placed under investigation as a serious matter.
Traveling on a private speedboat, journalists from Dhiyares entered the harbor of the Sifavaru military island - which is under development with Indian assistance in Uthuru Thila Falhu - and attempted to disembark, the MNDF said in a statement on Sunday night.
An MNDF sergeant of first class rank who was in charge of security stopped the four men who attempted to get on the island.
On Saturday night, the government opened applications for awarding land plots from land to be reclaimed from Uthuru Thila Falhu.
A total of 215 hectares is to be reclaimed from the same lagoon as Sifavaru, which is under development for the MNDF’s use.
Weapons are used in some countries to stop people from trespassing in military facilities. The MNDF said it would ask the relevant authorities to investigate the incident as a serious offense and to take legal action against the people involved.
Entry to MNDF bases is illegal without permission. Military approval is required to enter MNDF barracks in Male’ or command centers in the atolls. Civilians are barred from entry.
The project to develop a harbor and naval dockyard in Uthuru Thila Falhu was jointly launched on May 3 by Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and Maldives Defense Minister Mariya Ahmed Didi.
The USD 186 project was awarded to Indian rail company Rail Vikas Nigam.
The opposition alleges that a military base where Indian soldiers could be stationed is being developed in Uthuru Thila Falhu.
A video posted by the group who went to the island on Sunday does not show any soldiers in military gear. Instead, it showed construction work.
