Violence spreads across the islands

Violence erupted across the Maldives yesterday as supporters of the ex-president who claims he was forced out by a coup clashed with security forces in Male and stormed police stations on outlying islands.

Officials on four atolls in the holiday paradise nation, famed for its beaches and popular among honeymooners, told AFP that residents overran several police stations and set fire to government buildings.

Earlier there were clashes between several thousand supporters of Mohamed Nasheed, the Maldives’ first democratically elected president, and army and police in riot gear who used tear gas and batons in Male’s Republic Square.

There were unconfirmed reports of deaths in the violence in the capital, which were denied by the military and police when contactedby AFP.

Chief Inspector Abdul Mannan Yoosuf told reporters the violence was “widespread geographically” and “more serious” on several outlying atolls than in Male.

Police were planning a “joint operation with the armed forces” to bring the situation under control, he said. “But how and when it will be done will be decided later.”

Mr Nasheed, who resigned on Tuesday, told AFP he suspected new president Mohamed Waheed had known about a plot to overthrow him involving rebel army and police officers.

“I am afraid he’s always entertained an idea to become the president... When the opportunity was available to him, he took it,” the 44-year-old said of his former vice president – from a different party – who denies the allegation.

Mr Nasheed, 44, was later injured along with other senior members of his Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) during a rally in the capital, with family members saying he was was beaten by police.

Earlier in the day, he described how he had been “forced” to resign by a cabal of armed police and soldiers, explaining to AFP that “they told me if I didn’t resign they would resort to the use of arms”.

After the clashes in Male, unrest spread to outlying islands of the archipelago, particularly in MDP strongholds in the north and far south.

Waheed was sworn in Tuesday hours after the dramatic resignation of his former boss following weeks of anti-government protests and a police mutiny.

The army has denied any involvement in a coup against the president, but a spokesman admitted officers had “advised” him to step down.

In his press conference, Mr Waheed said he would appoint a “truly multi-party cabinet” in the next few days, and claimed he was in talks with all groups including the MDP.