The Assistant Commissioner of Police Asim Abdulla has been abruptly removed as the commander of Male' area as the opposition prepares to rally in the capital city tonight (October 3).
Two reliable sources told Adhadhu that Asim was removed as the Male' area commander and also dismissed as the officer in charge of handling the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) rally.
The Assistant Commissioner of Police Abdulla Shareef has been appointed as the new commander for Male' area.
"Asim's removal was a political decision, believed to have been ordered by the government,” a source told Adhadhu.
Police have not yet announced the change.
While the MDP rally is due to begin at the Artificial Beach area at 8:30 pm, throngs of people have arrived in the capital city from the atolls to participate in the peaceful demonstration.
The police have been on high alert, with hundreds officers active across the city and traffic routes controlled. Drones have been circling above the Male' area and all prison officers are currently on duty.
On social media, ministers, MPs and other senior government officials have been conducting a fear mongering campaign to limit the number of people going to the opposition rally.
