India ‘disturbed' by suspension of Constitutional rights of the people of Maldives: MEA

Expressing concern over the political crisis in Maldives, India on Tuesday said that declaration of emergency and refusal of Abdulla Yameen-led government to abide by Supreme Court's order is "disturbing".

The crisis in Maldives has deepened with the Chief Justice being arrested. The former president of Maldives, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed, Supreme Court Justice Ali Hameed and Judicial administrator Hassan Saeed have been arrested, just hours after President Abdulla Yameen declared a state of emergency in the country.

"We are disturbed by the declaration of a State of Emergency in #Maldives following the refusal of the Govt to abide by the unanimous ruling of the full bench of the Supreme Court on 1 Feb, and also by the suspension of Constitutional rights of the people of Maldives," the MEA statement said.

"The arrest of the Supreme Court Chief Justice and political figures are also reasons for concern. Government (of India) continues to carefully monitor the situation," it added.

India would keep a close watch due to the geograpical proximity and also to ensure stability in the Indian Ocean. Maldives is just 700 kilometres away from the Lakshadweep island chain and 1,200 kilometres away from the Indian mainland. The stability factor on the Indian Ocean is also a key worry for India.

The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) urged people to stay united in this crisis. The MDP tweeted from its official Twitter account, "Joint Opposition's parliamentarians call on the Maldivian people to be united in protecting the Constitution and to be unrelenting in seeking justice and reform. The MPs called on the regime to free former President @maumoonagayoom and his son-in-law @MNadhym immediately.

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