Addu City, Maldives – Opposition leader, former President Abdullah Yameen Abdul Gayoom has accused India of withholding the registration of National College of Policing and Law Enforcement, developed under the assistance of the Indian government.
Speaking to his supporters in Hulhumeedhoo yesterday evening, the former president said that even though the police college was built by India, but if there was sincerity in the their intentions, the registry would have been handed over to the people of Maldives by now.
Yameen said his coalition had to conducted “India Out” activities due to similar reasons. He also added that the registry of the police college was not handed over to the Maldives because of India’s real objective which is to strengthen the influence of the them in Maldives.
“The purpose of developing such a [place] is to have India [in Addu City]. We should be handed over the building now. If the Indian government has sincerity and if the Solih government has this sincerity, we should have received the registry. When they have handed over the registry and when we open it, they can go in and train the people we show. They will not be allowed to stay permanently.” he said.
He said there are capable people in Maldives to run the Police College and that Addu City has many educated people. Therefore, there is no reason why the Police College should be under Indian control, he said.
The National College of Policing and Law Enforcement was officially opened on March 27 this year. The facility was inaugurated by President Ibrahim Mohammed Solih, Indian Foreign Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, Police Commissioner Mohammed Hameed and Home Minister Imran Abdullah.
The National College of Policing and Law Enforcement was developed under the assistance of the Indian government, and the initial work of the academy began in 2017, contracted to Sri Avantika Contractors.
The entire complex for which the Indian government is expected to have spend USD 18 million has modern accommodation blocks, medical clinic, PT ground, helipad, training centre, gym that can accommodate 800 people, as well as a football ground and a basketball ground. Additionally, it also equips a 400-meter track, an auditorium accommodating 340 people and eight classrooms accommodating 40 people each.
Some important facts about the Police College in Addu City:
- An MOU was signed on September 26, 2012 to build a police college
- The official decision to build the Police College was announced on April 6, 2014
- The project was announced to be completed within 18 months
- The council arranged and handed over the land in late early
- The seaward side of the allotment area has been partially reclaimed
The current government has repeatedly said that the police college was built through Indian grants and that the full control of the college is directly with the Maldivian government. The Maldivian government is responsible for the operation of the facility.
