MEA advises Indian nationals to ‘defer non-essential' travel to Maldives

Maldives President Abdulla Yameen on Monday declared a 15-days State of Emergency in the country.

Amid political crisis in Maldives, the Ministry of External Affairs on Monday advised Indians to defer all non-essential travels to Male, the capital of Maldives.

Maldives President Abdulla Yameen on Monday declared a 15-days State of Emergency in the country.

"Prevailing political developments in Maldives and resultant law and order situation is a matter of concern for Government of India. Indian nationals are advised to defer all non-essential travels to Male and other atolls until further notice," MEA twitter handle said.

"Indian expatriates in Maldives are also alerted to the need for heightened security awareness, and urged to exercise due caution in public and avoid public gatherings," it added.

Yameen on Sunday refused to accept the Supreme Court order to release political prisoners and reinstate 12 MPs who defected to the opposition. Protests are being held across the country since President Yameen refused to follow SC's ruling.

The army was on Sunday put on high alert after Yameen refused to accept SC's order.

The Supreme Court order to restore the seats of 12 MPs who defected to the opposition would effectively reduce Yameen's party to a minority and expose him to the risk of impeachment.

The government had earlier expressed "concerns" over the judicial order and resisted complying with it, but the court said there can be no excuses.

Dissidents must be released because their trials were politically motivated and flawed, the Supreme Court had said in a statement.

OneIndia News