ދިޔަމިގިލި
ދިޔަމިގިލި އާއި ގުޅުވާފަ އޮއްނަ ތިންކޮޅުފުށީގެ އޮއްނަ ޗަކަގަނޑު މަސައްކަތް*
ދިޔަމިގިލި އާއި ގުޅުވާފަ އޮއްނަ ތިންކޮޅުފުށީގެ ޗަކަގަނޑު މަސައްކަތް
ދިޔަމިގިލި އާއި ގުޅުވާފަ އޮތް ތިންކޮޅުފުށީގެ ޗަކަގަނޑު ސާފުކުރުމުގެ މަސައްކަތް ރަތްޔިތުނިކުމެ ކޮއްފިއެވެ. މިމަސައްކަތުގައި ރަތްޔަތުންގެ ވަރަށް ގިނަ ބަޔަކު ޝާމިލްވެ ތިބެ މަސައްކަތް ނިންމުމުގެ ރޫހުގަ ފޯރިޔާއެކު ކުރިޔައްގެން ދިޔަކަމުގެ ނަތީޖާ އަކައްވީ ޗަކަގަނޑު ކޮނުމާއި ފެން ހިންދުމާއި ޗަކަގަނޑުގެ ޗަކަސާފު ކުރުމާއި ރޭނުން ފަދަ މަސައްކަތް ވަނީ ވަރަށް އަވަހައް ކޮއްނިންމާފައެވެ. މިތަނުގައި ދިރޭ މަސް އާލާކުރުމުގެ ޕުރޮގުރާމެއްވެސް ކުރިޔައްގެންދަމުން ދެއެވެ. ރަށުގެ ކުރި އެރުމައް ކުރަމުންދާމިފަދަ އެންމެ ހައި ކަންކަމުގައި ދިޔަމިގިލީގެ ޒުވާނުންގެ ހިތްވަރުގަދަކަން ފާހަން ކުރެވެއެވެ. ދިޔަމިގިލި ރައްޔިތުންގެ ބޭނުމަކީ ރަށުގެ ތަރައްޤީ އަށްމިފަދަ މަސައްކަތް ކުރުމެވެ. - ޖެނުވަރީ Dhiyamigili Katheeb orders to keep national flag flying
(Monday, March 3rd, 2008)
According to Katheeb (Island Chief) of Dhiyamigili the reason why he gave instructions to keep the national flag up at mast was out of fear of any harm he may receive. He said the task of bringing the flag up and down daily was hampered due to closure of office by angry islanders. Katheeb Ibrahim Ahmed revealed that after closure of office on the 7 of last month, a team from Dhiyamigili traveled to Male’ to hold discussions with concerned government agencies in an effort to solve their problems. Katheeb (Island Chief) Ibrahim Ahmed said that the team included members from the Island Development Committee (IDC), people from Dhiyamigili as well as the person from the Island Office assigned with hoisting the flag and bringing it down every day.
According to Katheeb when he knew that the person who hoists the flag and bring it down went with the team to Male’ he found a replacement to carry out the work. He said ever since the closure of office by angry islanders, the person from Island Office hoists the flag secretly by climbing and jumping over the wall of the island office to the flag mast. He said the work had to done secretly because of fear of the angry islanders who were no mood keeping flag flying at mast.
Katheeb revealed that when the person from the island office who hoists the flag returned from Male’ on the 25 of last month, the flag hoisting resumed secretly climbing over the wall. However Katheeb said that he instructed the person to keep the flag flying at mast and not to bring the flag down. He said the reason for his action was mainly out of fear of the angry islanders who cause harm if they found that they were hoisting the flag secretly and that the person engaged in job might receive injury if he meets any accident while climbing up and down the island office outside perimeter wall. He also said that they had hoisted the flag for more than 17 days by secretly climbing over the wall.
Katheeb Ibrahim Ahmed further said Dhiyamigili people were facing difficulties due to shortage of money to buy fuel to power the generators to produce electricity. He said the electricity in the island was belonged to the people. He said even though he had advised the people to open the office to get the money in the people’s account, the people had refused to do so. He said instead they had taken a loan of Rf. 8,000 from the People’s Drug Store to buy fuel for the generators.
According to a member of IDC, Katheeb was asked to come to “Dhiyamigili Palace” by the people. When Katheeb came he was asked to give the money that belonged to the people to buy fuel to power the generators. However according to IDC member, Katheeb refused saying that he can only do so after talking to atoll chief. Member of IDC said island office will only be opened after a government official visit the island and listen to the grievances of the people of Dhiyamigili. He said the people of Dhiyamigili now want a sincere leader.
According to members of the IDC and founder members of the 2 associations, the Dhiyamigili Island Office was closed by the Dhiyamigili islanders for various reasons. Dhiyamigili islanders were dissatisfied not only because of the lack of adequate space in the preschool established but also due to various attempts made by officials of the government to fool them and confuse them. They said officials were now trying to cover up such attempts.
IDC members pointed out the Island Chief were incapable of carrying out any work towards the development of the island or any work to gain the rights of Dhiyamigili people. They said devastation caused by the tsunami has not been recovered and that they have raised complaints to the island office informing them on the various difficulties they face. They said despite their pleas Island Chiefs always gives them a deaf year.
Members of the IDC of Dhiyamigili pointed out that Atoll Chief do not accept the IDC. Members of the IDC pointed out that Atoll had said that there is no IDC in Dhiyamigili and that the present committee was not acceptable to him. Members of the IDC further said under the circumstances the people of Dhiyamigili believe that is no Atoll Chief acceptable to them at present.
Dhiyamigili IDC pointed out that when things deteriorated to this stage, Dhiyamigili islanders could not tolerate it any more and consequently the islanders came out and closed the island office. Dhiyamigili IDC pointed out the Island Office will remain closed until the government responds to their pleas. They pointed out that if the police force or security force try to intervene and open the office forcefully, they will fight and will face the combined forces for more than 48 hours just to break the Himmandhoo record.
The members of the IDC as well as the 2 founder members of associations of Dhiyamigili came to Male’ on the 15 of this month at the request of the Dhiyamigili islanders. They revealed that prior to their departure they met the island chief and informed him about the intended visit to Male’.
Dhiyamigili team yesterday commenced talks with the necessary government bodies. In this regard they met officials of the Education Ministry to see if they can find a solution to the issue of preschool. According to Dhiyamigili IDC members, Education Ministry informed them that the ministry does not construct preschools. However the Ministry officials promised them they would look in to the case says IDC members.
Dhiyamigili team pointed out the government must provide the same facilities provided to other sparsely populated islands. They pointed out that they too were Maldivian citizens. They said while government was building houses to tsunami victims in other islands the Dhiyamigili islanders are still living in the same conditions. They pointed that there were many families in need of proper shelter and that the present scenario is due to lack attention and care to the needs and feelings of the people by the Atoll Chief and Island Chiefs.
Speaking at the press conference MP for Thaa Atoll as well as member of MDP parliamentary group Hassan Afeef said MDP started acting on the case as the government failed to respond to the needs of the Dhiyamigili islanders. He said this government was always telling lies to Dhiyamigili islanders and the Dhiyamigili islanders were very patient people. Afeef said the most evident sign of a failed government is the closing of government offices by the people.
MP for Meemu atoll as well as member of MDP parliamentary group Ahmed Shafeeq said that action of the government is regrettable and that Thaa Atoll is one of those places which the government keeps to show to outside world as the poor people of Maldives.
Atoll Chief of Thaa Atoll denied saying that he did not accept the Dhiyamigili IDC. He said that they were all allegations and that he never said anything to that effect. He claimed this was politically motivated as evident by members of IDC finding fault with the government.
Name of Dhiyamigili Island Office was changed to “Rahyithunge Cardge” on the 7 of this month by the people of Dhiyamigili.
Thaa atoll Dhiyamigili is what many would describe as a sleepy fishing island of about 700 people living in a small, close-knit community.
(Saturday, February 16th, 2008)
Island Chief of Dhiyamigili of Thaa Atoll Ibrahim Ahmed Didi has revealed that people of that island is in need of urgent drinking water.
Speaking to Miadhu Daily Island Chief Ibrahim Ahmed Didi said that due to the tsunami of 2004, the island has been badly devastated. He said among other problems caused by the tsunami, sweet water layer of the island were seriously affected rendering water from the island unusable for any purpose. According to Island Chief a survey conducted by the American Red Cross in 2005 indicated that water from the island will be unusable for the next 10 years and that the water is not fit for human consumption.
According to Island Chief due to the devastating effect of tsunami on the sweet water layer of the island, a desalination plant has been installed on the island. He however noted that plant is not in operation as the well from where water is to be drawn in for desalination is thoroughly polluted. He also noted that work is now underway to produce water from the desalination plant. In this regard Island Chief revealed that Energy Ministry has given instructions on the 14 of this month to get 100 liters of fuel to operate the plant in order to produce water.
Island Chief Didi revealed that Atoll Office has confirmed the receipt of the Energy Ministry’s message. However he pointed out that he was not the one to go against the wishes of the people of the island. He also noted that the work of Island Office was stopped due to closing of the office by the people.
Miadhu Daily’s correspondent after visiting the island reported that the people were living in very difficult conditions. According to the people of Dhiyamigili in addition to lack of proper drinking water other basic services were lacking too.
Due to no rain in Dhiyamigili for the past 5 months, most of the water in storage tanks has been exhausted. Dhiyamigili islanders noted that there were 20 houses in that island which did not receive the syntax black storage tanks distributed as aid following tsunami. They also report some 15 families need proper shelter.
The islander said that due to such major shortcomings, they have closed the Island office on the 7 of this month and has positioned a big notice at harbor area indicating their needs.
Water taps installed in Dhiyamigili mosque
(Sunday, September 24th, 2006)
Dhiyamigili team hold talks with government (Tuesday, February 19th, 2008)
Dhiyamigili Island Development Committee (IDC) members have started to meet concerned government officials to discuss the issue of closure of the Dhiyamigili Island Office by the islanders.
A news conference was held by the senior members of Dhiyamigili Island Development Committee (IDC) and 2 members of the 2 associations established in that island. The news conference was organized by MDP and was held at MDP office on the 17 of this month.According to members of the IDC and founder members of the 2 associations, the Dhiyamigili Island Office was closed by the Dhiyamigili islanders for various reasons. Dhiyamigili islanders were dissatisfied not only because of the lack of adequate space in the preschool established but also due to various attempts made by officials of the government to fool them and confuse them. They said officials were now trying to cover up such attempts.
IDC members pointed out the Island Chief were incapable of carrying out any work towards the development of the island or any work to gain the rights of Dhiyamigili people. They said devastation caused by the tsunami has not been recovered and that they have raised complaints to the island office informing them on the various difficulties they face. They said despite their pleas Island Chiefs always gives them a deaf year.
Members of the IDC of Dhiyamigili pointed out that Atoll Chief do not accept the IDC. Members of the IDC pointed out that Atoll had said that there is no IDC in Dhiyamigili and that the present committee was not acceptable to him. Members of the IDC further said under the circumstances the people of Dhiyamigili believe that is no Atoll Chief acceptable to them at present.
Dhiyamigili IDC pointed out that when things deteriorated to this stage, Dhiyamigili islanders could not tolerate it any more and consequently the islanders came out and closed the island office. Dhiyamigili IDC pointed out the Island Office will remain closed until the government responds to their pleas. They pointed out that if the police force or security force try to intervene and open the office forcefully, they will fight and will face the combined forces for more than 48 hours just to break the Himmandhoo record.
The members of the IDC as well as the 2 founder members of associations of Dhiyamigili came to Male’ on the 15 of this month at the request of the Dhiyamigili islanders. They revealed that prior to their departure they met the island chief and informed him about the intended visit to Male’.
Dhiyamigili team yesterday commenced talks with the necessary government bodies. In this regard they met officials of the Education Ministry to see if they can find a solution to the issue of preschool. According to Dhiyamigili IDC members, Education Ministry informed them that the ministry does not construct preschools. However the Ministry officials promised them they would look in to the case says IDC members.
Dhiyamigili team pointed out the government must provide the same facilities provided to other sparsely populated islands. They pointed out that they too were Maldivian citizens. They said while government was building houses to tsunami victims in other islands the Dhiyamigili islanders are still living in the same conditions. They pointed that there were many families in need of proper shelter and that the present scenario is due to lack attention and care to the needs and feelings of the people by the Atoll Chief and Island Chiefs.
Speaking at the press conference MP for Thaa Atoll as well as member of MDP parliamentary group Hassan Afeef said MDP started acting on the case as the government failed to respond to the needs of the Dhiyamigili islanders. He said this government was always telling lies to Dhiyamigili islanders and the Dhiyamigili islanders were very patient people. Afeef said the most evident sign of a failed government is the closing of government offices by the people.
MP for Meemu atoll as well as member of MDP parliamentary group Ahmed Shafeeq said that action of the government is regrettable and that Thaa Atoll is one of those places which the government keeps to show to outside world as the poor people of Maldives.
Atoll Chief of Thaa Atoll denied saying that he did not accept the Dhiyamigili IDC. He said that they were all allegations and that he never said anything to that effect. He claimed this was politically motivated as evident by members of IDC finding fault with the government.
Name of Dhiyamigili Island Office was changed to “Rahyithunge Cardge” on the 7 of this month by the people of Dhiyamigili.
Protests At Dhiyamigili: “Voicing Our Concerns”
Thaa atoll Dhiyamigili is what many would describe as a sleepy fishing island of about 700 people living in a small, close-knit community.
But over the last month, islanders' concerns over the provision of facilities sparked confrontations with the island office, and when no agreement was reached, a group of around thirty police were sent to intervene two weeks ago.
Amid allegations of abuse by islanders, uniformed police arrested a total of twelve, and say ten of these cases are now under investigation. Olivia Lang looks at the causes of the islanders' frustrations, and what measures authorities took to suppress their protests.
Island Concerns
When we reach the island, you could be forgiven for thinking that all is content, as locals sit around in the midday sun in joli seats, smoking cigarettes and chatting.
But as soon as I begin to talk to residents, it becomes clear that there is an unease among locals, many of whom who have witnessed recent events which shook the community.
"We are very sad this has happened. We are a small community and it's the first time it's happened here – we haven't seen these things before," one resident, Lushan, tells me, as he talks me through what happened.
The protests, which involved closing the island office for over a month, began when residents became frustrated their concerns were not being heard by the island's Katheeb (chief).
The tipping point for islanders was over the design of a UNICEF-funded preschool, which islanders say should be built with more than one classroom. "There are about 40-50 children of five to six years" on the island, Lushan tells me. "One classroom is not enough."
Facilities
But "there are a lot of problems," Lushan adds, and lists the grievances, saying they are shared by the island community as a whole.
"Government isn't giving any donations. The pre-school is very small, only one classroom. The harbour has not been finished for maybe 5 to 7 years. There are not enough doctors at the health centre."
But a few islanders also explain there was a "communication gap" between residents and the island office. "Island chief said they don't know about this building [the pre-school] but they should know what is going on," Lushan explains.
When I visit the health centre, doctors and nurses are keen to tell me what issues they have and what improvements they would like to see.
Dr Badarinarayan, who is the only doctor on the island and therefore on call 24 hours a day, tells me just some of the problems he has encountered at the health post, built only two years ago.
"We do have basic medicines but some antibiotics we don't have – neither do we have x-rays or scanners. And we don't have an ambulance – instead we have to arrange with the people for a pick-up to get emergency patients.
"Because we don't have a laboratory here we need to send people to Guraidhoo for testing [for infectious diseases, such as malaria], usually about once or twice a week," he added.
Island Protests
Islanders forcibly closed the office in February by nailing wood and sheets of metal across the door, after "no agreement" was reached with the office about their concerns.
"We had no help from the island office," Lushan tells me. And another islander adds: "people used to be neutral but now they are frustrated".
A group of four or five police came to the island the week before the arrests to forcibly open the office. But after briefly reopening on 13 March, the office was again closed, with police alleging that workers were still inside at the time.
Deputy police commissioner Abdulla Riyaz confirmed that the police officers had travelled to the island at the request of the Ministry of Atolls to investigate the incident.
A number of islanders were then summoned for questioning at the island office, leading to further protests by residents who claimed the whole community were involved and should all be summoned.
Then, on 20 March, a group of officers was sent as "reinforcements", according to Riyaz, although he was unable to say how many officers went. But islanders tell me there were about thirty of them in "full uniform with long batons".
Police Force
Police along with island officials then proceeded to arrest a total of twelve people, most of whom they summoned using their photographs, according to witnesses.
Zachariah Didi, whose two sons were arrested, says that police did not explain why they were arresting them.
Riyaz told Minivan News that locals had been arrested for throwing stones at police, but when one arrestee, Shuiab, was in custody a police inspector told him that the eleven cases were because the men had "shouted" at police.
During the investigation, police requested witness statements from a number of individuals over "obstruction of justice", which Riyaz notes is a "very serious offence".
When I mention to Shuiab the allegation that islanders had been throwing stones, he said "that's a lie". And other accounts appear to tally with his.
Meanwhile police media spokesperson Sergeant Shiyam appeared confused about the reasons for the arrest, at first saying that residents were "throwing stones and sand" but later saying he was "not sure" of the exact charges that would be brought against them.
Islanders are perplexed about why the police took those twelve people, when the community had been united in closing the office. "Why only twelve?" asks Lushan. "All the people are involved."
Police took those arrested in a fishing boat to Guraidhoo, according to Ahmed Rasheed, who expressed concern that they were kept in handcuffs for the journey.
Interrogations
Shuaib, a young photographer on the island arrested after taking photos of police, tells me his account.
"They [police] came from the fishing boat. I saw them when I was walking. I had my camera, I was taking photos. I took about 17 pictures. When I went near to the island office they told me pictures weren't allowed."
When Shuaib took one more photo, he tells me, a group of four "star force" police arrested him. "They came at me like a tiger taking buffaloes. They hit me – across my neck and back. It was very painful. For three days I was in pain."
"I cried out and island people here, they saw what happened," he continues. "My sister shouted at them [the police] and they grabbed her and arrested her too. They took her to the island office for an interrogation for 3 or 4 hours."
Police arrested him at around 6pm on the Thursday, he says, and took him to Guraidhoo police station, but released him the next day. They gave him back his camera but deleted the photos.
But police spokespeople have been unavailable for further comment on his case, or on other allegations surrounding the mass arrests.
Afraid
One woman, whose husband was taken by police last week, says three police officers came onto the street and arrested him, and that she had moved into her mother's house with her two children.
She said she was "very sad and very afraid" now, and had been "given no information about who to call" or what to do after he was arrested.
When I asked why she had not asked the island office, she said that she was scared because it was island chiefs who had given police a list people to arrest during the investigation. "No-one wants to go to them now," she says.
Zachariah Didi, whose two sons were arrested, said that he had been interrogated during the investigation. "They used their fists and said, 'Isn't it just a few people [involved]?'. They repeated the question three times but I said it was everybody."
When I met Didi, his sons had been taken to Dhoonidhoo detention centre and not yet released. "I hear they are in small, unventilated place. I have not heard about their health condition. What else can I do but worry?"
Since then, his sons and eight others have been released temporarily and police say their cases have been completed, but cannot say yet whether they will send them to the attorney general's office for prosecution.
And Shuiab says that while they have "many, many problems" on the island, the atolls office "talk to ministries but they can't give any answers". "All islanders want is change of two island chiefs – very careless island chiefs are here," he adds.
Islanders argue that they have a right to protest, but it appears as if authorities don't agree. As one resident, who did not want to be named, said: "We are just voicing our concerns. What else are we supposed to do?"
Dhiyamigili islanders in need of drinking water
(Saturday, February 16th, 2008)
Speaking to Miadhu Daily Island Chief Ibrahim Ahmed Didi said that due to the tsunami of 2004, the island has been badly devastated. He said among other problems caused by the tsunami, sweet water layer of the island were seriously affected rendering water from the island unusable for any purpose. According to Island Chief a survey conducted by the American Red Cross in 2005 indicated that water from the island will be unusable for the next 10 years and that the water is not fit for human consumption.
According to Island Chief due to the devastating effect of tsunami on the sweet water layer of the island, a desalination plant has been installed on the island. He however noted that plant is not in operation as the well from where water is to be drawn in for desalination is thoroughly polluted. He also noted that work is now underway to produce water from the desalination plant. In this regard Island Chief revealed that Energy Ministry has given instructions on the 14 of this month to get 100 liters of fuel to operate the plant in order to produce water.
Island Chief Didi revealed that Atoll Office has confirmed the receipt of the Energy Ministry’s message. However he pointed out that he was not the one to go against the wishes of the people of the island. He also noted that the work of Island Office was stopped due to closing of the office by the people.
Miadhu Daily’s correspondent after visiting the island reported that the people were living in very difficult conditions. According to the people of Dhiyamigili in addition to lack of proper drinking water other basic services were lacking too.
Due to no rain in Dhiyamigili for the past 5 months, most of the water in storage tanks has been exhausted. Dhiyamigili islanders noted that there were 20 houses in that island which did not receive the syntax black storage tanks distributed as aid following tsunami. They also report some 15 families need proper shelter.
The islander said that due to such major shortcomings, they have closed the Island office on the 7 of this month and has positioned a big notice at harbor area indicating their needs.
Water taps installed in Dhiyamigili mosque
(Sunday, September 24th, 2006)
An eight-tap ablution line has been installed in Thaa Atoll Dhiyamigili’s Friday mosque, by island society Edutainment and Community Sports (ECS).
The project also includes a storeroom and a toilet. The official opening of the ablution line was held before Asr prayers last Friday. The chief guest at the ceremony was Thaa Atoll Chief Ahmed Shareef.
ECS said that work on this project was done by society members. The society also thanked the cooperation extended by the island office, atoll office, people of the atoll and the youth ministry.
Edutainment and Community Sports is a society formed by a group of youth from Dhiyamigili, for the purpose of improving educational, religious and social aspects of the island.
