Security tight amid ongoing Maldives state of emergency

Maldives' government said yesterday it was searching for more dissidents after a state of emergency was declared in response to a rare demonstration in the tightly controlled Islamic island nation.

Dozens of demonstrators were injured when police fired tear gas to disperse about 3,000 people gathered outside the police headquarters on Friday.

The protesters were demanding the release of political prisoners.

Following the violence, the government on Friday declared a state of emergency, saying fundamental rights of citizens would be suspended, and people would not be allowed to gather, demonstrate or express views critical of the government.

"Security forces have taken 185 people into custody," said Captain Mohamed Sadiq, a spokesman for the National Security Services.

Among those arrested in the crackdown were Mohamed Munavvar, Maldives former attorney general and Ibrahim Hussain Zaki, the former national development minister.

Both were sacked by the president in November, a senior government official said on condition of anonymity.

It is widely believed that President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom fired the two because of their pro-reformist views.

Gayoom, Asia's longest-serving leader, has been in power since 1978, ruling the tiny Indian Ocean nation with an iron fist. He won another five-year term in an Oct. 17 referendum, in which he was the only candidate.

Yesterday, the streets were calm with some shops open for business, although the National Security Service continued to patrol the streets, and armored personnel carriers guarded the presidential palace.

Gayoom has promised democratic reform, apparently prompted by international pressure, anti-government riots last year, and allegations that prisoners are tortured.