Hirilandhoo mob attack: One released, another remanded 15 days

One of two suspects arrested following violence in Th. Hirilandhoo on Sunday night has been released, while the other has been remanded in custody of the police for 15 days.

The two suspects, identified as a 36-year-old male and a 32-year-old male, were arrested for assault, failure to follow police orders, and disturbance of peace.

They were presented before the Th. Kandoodhoo Magistrate Court on Tuesday morning.

A police spokesperson said the court released the 32-year-old, but granted a 15-day extension to the remand of the 36-year-old.

Locals report the violence was carried out by a group of four masked men, and targeted a group of alleged drug peddlers in the island.

According to locals, they had repeatedly reported the drug peddlers to police.

The masked men had gone to the house allegedly used as a drug den, and beat the victims, while a large mob gathered outside and threw stones at the house.

The incident resulted in injuries to two people, identified by the police as a 49-year-old male and a 43-year-old male. They were initially treated at the local health center before getting transferred to the regional hospital in Th. Veymandoo.