Nasheed party releases coup video

Video shows force was used to take over the building even before Nasheeds resignation.

Almost a week after President Mohamed Nasheed was ousted from power,new facts are emerging about the circumstances around the change with the displaced Maldivian Democratic Party MDP claiming that shots were fired and sources pointing out that India assured the then government that a warship was carrying out patrols off the coast to intervene in case of any violence.

The MDP released a video of the takeover of the state-run television channel,claiming that a shot was fired and force was used to take over the building even before Nasheeds resignation,making the point that a coup took place.

The video seems to show a teargas shot and was released ahead of the visit of the Commonwealth delegation that will investigate into the circumstances surrounding the transfer of power.

While India is of the view that the change of power was a legitimate political process,the MDP has been insisting that it was a coup carried out by a section of vested interests who influenced a few police and armed forces officials.

Sources told The Indian Express that as the situation was unfolding last Tuesday when the transfer of power happened,the then Maldivian government was assured by India that a warship was carrying out patrols off the Male coast and would be called in if violence was reported.

They said the Maldivian government was told that there was no reason to worry as commandos would be deployed in case things got out of hand. While sections of the Maldivian government made calls to India as the situation seemed to get out of control on Tuesday,Nasheed did not make a formal call for help.

In fact,India sent a letter of support to Waheed within a day of his taking over as the new President in what it considers was a legitimate political upheaval.

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Meanwhile,the new video shows riot police controlling crowds outside the state-run television with teargas shells flying around. While the grainy clip does show a shot being fired just before the gate was broken down,the weapon seems to be a teargas dispenser. MDP says that the shot was fired from a firearm. The Maldivian police are not authorised to carry weapons.

The video,as well as other clips,is likely to be presented to the nine-member Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group that is arriving on Tuesday.

Waheed using force: MDP

Even as protests continue against the ouster of President Mohamed Nasheed and alleged police atrocities,the action is set to move to parliament that is heading for a decisive session next month.

While newly appointed President Waheed is trying to cobble together a coalition to get past the half-way mark in the 77-member parliament,the MDP has claimed the regime is using force and intimidation to break it open.

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On Sunday,close to 20 MDP parliamentarians protested inside the House past midnight against the arrest of one of its members on Addu island. At least four MDP members are facing arrest on charges slapped after the recent upheaval. There is an atmosphere of fear and distrust. The regime is trying to find ways to reduce our strength in parliament by arresting them on frivolous charges, MDPs Hamid Abdul Ghafoor told The Indian Express. ENS