Home Minister announces plans to establish an additional 50 police stations across the Maldives

Minister of Home Affairs Imran Abdulla has announced plans to establish an additional 50 police stations across the country next year, as part of efforts to ensure the safety of communities.

Speaking to PSM News on the occasion of the two-year anniversary of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s administration, Home Minister Imran said the Police Bill which is current under review at the Parliament will bring major changes to the operations of Maldives Police Service (MPS). As such, he noted both administrative and technical operations of the police will be strengthened under the provisions of the bill.

The home minister further noted the government has been undertaking efforts to widen the reach of MPS to ensure all islands have convenient access to police services. In this regard, the minister noted the government has established 6 new police stations during the last two years. He added the government plans to begin the establishment of an additional 50 police stations next year, as part of efforts to safeguard island communities from crime. He noted the new police stations will be equipped with modern facilities and resources to ensure a quality service.

The home minister further highlighted the priority placed by the administration to eliminating the abuse of narcotic drugs. He revealed MPS has conducted 135 successful drug operations in the last two years, seizing over 1 tonne of narcotics.

Minister Imran further noted the government’s policy on prisons is to ensure inmates are properly rehabilitated and can rejoin the society as beneficial citizens by the time they complete their prison sentence. Noting prisons currently do not have sufficient space to carry out effective rehabilitation programmes, the minister said the government plans to increase the capacity of prisons over the next few years and conduct holistic rehabilitation programmes for inmates.