Officer on duty injured during Thoddoo protests

An officer of the Maldives Police Service was injured at AA. Thoddoo on Wednesday, while on duty at an ongoing protests by the island's locals.

Locals of Thoddoo have been protesting over the extensive lease period of agricultural plots, the island's council said.

A member of Thoddoo island council, speaking with 'Sun' said that the locals were upset about the 15-year lease duration of the agricultural plots, who claimed it was a lengthy period.

Protesters reportedly cut power of the council's building while the authority's president along with two other members were stuck inside.

The member further said that the locals had destroyed the solar panels fitted atop the council authority's roof, and shattered the glasses on the main door of the building.

Police confirmed receiving reports of ongoing protests and unrest in Thoddoo, around 13:00hrs on Wednesday afternoon.

Despite requests made by police to prostesters to refrain from inflicting property damage or cause unrest, the situation had not dissipated while an officer on duty at the site was injured as well.

Though police initially did not share details of the officer's injuries, the authority later reported he was in stable condition.

Agriculture is Thoddoo's biggest economic activity. The island consists of 431 farming plots, while the island is famous nationwide for its fruits produce, especially watermelon.