Hanimaadhoo Residents Protest Relocation of Hirimaradhoo Community Over Land Allocation Concerns

Residents of Hanimaadhoo have launched a petition and staged a protest against the government’s decision to relocate residents of Hirimaradhoo to their island, citing the lack of proper land allocations for the current residents of the island. 

The demonstration comes amid the ongoing resettlement plan for Hirimaradhoo residents to Hanimaadhoo, a plan finalized in February by the government. Yesterday, a large number of locals took part in a motorcycle rally along the main streets of Hanimaadhoo, voicing their concerns over the relocation process.

Protesters carried placards highlighting their grievances and called on the government to reconsider the current approach to land allocation linked to the resettlement programme.

According to media reports, the protest was triggered by a decision to allocate residential plots to Hirimaradhoo residents from an area that had been specifically designated for Hanimaadhoo locals under the island’s approved land use plan.

Photos circulating on social media show demonstrators expressing concern that land plots earmarked for Hanimaadhoo residents are being given to the relocated population. Protesters argued that plots for the Hirimaradhoo community should only be allocated after the distribution of land designated for Hanimaadhoo residents has been fully completed.

Hirimaradhoo has a registered population of more than 500 people. However, more than half of its residents are currently living on other islands, with many residing in the capital, Malé.

Residents of Hanimaadhoo say they support the relocation of the Hirimaradhoo community in principle, but insist that the process should not disadvantage locals who have long been waiting for residential land allocations.