Police Commissioner Ali Shujau has said that a protest outside the Parliament building on January 28 became violent because of gang members.
Shujau and Defence Minister Ghassan Maumoon were summoned to the Parliament's 241 committee today regarding the security of the Parliament.
During the committee meeting, Hoarafushi MP Ahmed Saleem referred to police claims that gang members took part in the protest on January 28.
“The information document sent by police to the Parliament says that some government ministers, state ministers, ministerial-level officials and some people in political positions, as well as gang members, were involved," Saleem said.
Shujau said the protest began peacefully when senior government officials and government supporters gathered outside the Parliament building.
He said the protest started to turn violent when gang members gathered in the area and that immediate measures were taken by the police and security services.
"When the gang members began to gather, immediate actions were taken to ensure security. They were not there when the protest began. They gathered much later," Shujau said.
He added that government officials and the public cooperated when the police ordered them to move back. Gang members came and tried to disrupt the peace much later, he noted.
Thulhaadhoo MP Hisaan Hussain questioned about the time when they gathered and Hinnavaru MP Jeehan Mahmood questioned whether gang members were connected to the government officials.
In response, Shujau said the police had not clarified that information.
