Kendhoo MP Mauroof Zakir was released from police custody on Saturday following his arrest from the fishermen's protest.

Mauroof was arrested on Thursday and remanded in custody for five days. But he was released after undergoing emergency surgery.

Adhadhu understands that the surgery was done at Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) to resolve rectal bleeding.

"Mauroof has been released from police custody. He is now in hospital with his family," lawyer Ahmed Mauroof said in a post on X.

Fishermen began protesting on boats in the lagoon of Male' on national Fishermen's Days celebrated on December 10 every year.

Police arrested Mauroof, two Maldivian fishers and four expatriate fishers from the boats before using excessive force to stop their protest.

The fishermen's protest was organized by the Bodu Kanneli Masveringe Union (BKMU) of yellow fin tuna fishers. Forty nine boats took part in the protest.