Maldives emergency: MEA asks Indians to avoid non-essential travel

February 05, 2018 23:22

Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen has declared a 15-day state of emergency, his aide Azima Shukoor announced on state television. The move gives sweeping powers to security forces to arrest and detain suspects and comes amid a deepening political crisis in the Indian Ocean nation as Yameen refuses to comply with a Supreme Court order to release political prisoners.

India expressed concern over recent political developments in the Maldives and the resultant law and order situation, and asked its nationals to defer all non-essential travels to the Indian Ocean nation until further notice.

In an advisory, the external affairs ministry 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.

"The prevailing political developments in Maldives and the resultant law and order situation is a matter of concern for the government. Indian nationals are, therefore, advised to defer all non-essential travels to Male and other atolls until further notice," the advisory said.

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