Maldives asks citizens to reject calls for violence

The Govt urged its people to reject calls for violent action by the Opposition in its bid to overthrow the President Gayoom's regime.

The Maldivian government on Saturday urged its people to reject calls for violent action by the chief opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) in its bid to overthrow the regime of President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.

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The MDP is planning a huge demonstration in the capital November 10.

"Police have received reports that a number of MDP members are intending to travel to Male on November 10," chief government spokesman Mohamed Hussain Shareef told reporters here.

"Those involved in planning the illegal gathering have on their agenda not peaceful protest but intimidation, violence, arson and physical harm."

Acting upon intelligence reports pointing to preparations for orchestrated violence and intimidation, a number of precautionary arrests have been made, he said.

The government urged the MDP to "exercise calm and not to resort to violence or disruptive action" during the November 10 gathering.

The spokesperson accused the MDP of not being "true democrats" and asked people to rally behind the democratic reforms agenda to introduce multi-party democracy in the Indian Ocean island nation in 2008.