The Hanimaadhoo Council has filed a case with the police to stop the allocation of land to the people of Hirimaradhoo, who are scheduled to be relocated to HDh. Hanimaadhoo, alleging that land is being given without the council's permission.
Police stated that the Hanimaadhoo Council has reported concerns regarding the allocation of land from the island.
The police further noted that upon investigating the matter, it was identified as an issue related to administrative communications between two state institutions responsible for the task.
Police said that based on the investigation so far, no criminal offense has been noted in the matter.
The police have advised seeking a civil resolution for the issue.
In a post on Facebook, Hanimaadhoo Council member Firaq Mohamed stated that the work to allocate land from the island to provide housing for the residents of Hirimaradhoo is being carried out without the council's permission.
He also stated that while compensation for the people’s trees and state-owned trees has not been paid, the necessary procedures to carry out the task have also not been completed.
"Since this work is being started from a place where compensation was paid for a government house under a court order, they have been instructed to stop this. Furthermore, this is being carried out in violation of the Land Use Plan. It is also against the decision of the citizens," he said.
Last week, a group of people in Hanimaadhoo held a protest expressing concern over the allocation of plots to Hirimaradhoo residents in violation of the current Land Use Plan of the island.
They called for no land to be given to others until the 600 plots promised to Hanimaadhoo residents are settled. It has been decided to give 200 plots to Hirimaradhoo residents.
During President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's visit to the islands of HDh. Atoll in August last year, he visited Hirimaradhoo and tasked the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) with establishing the necessary housing and municipal services for the residents in Hanimaadhoo within one and a half years.
At the time, the President stated that for every plot in Hirimaradhoo, a house would be provided in Hanimaadhoo, and that the work would be completed and keys handed over within 18 months. However, he stated that there is no compulsion to relocate to that island.
Since the decision was made to relocate the people, the issuance of land plots from Hirimaradhoo was also subsequently halted.
Hirimaradhoo is the island with the smallest population among the 13 inhabited islands in HDh. Atoll. According to the latest census, the resident population of the island is 293. This consists of 157 males and 136 females.
