Concerns are mounting regarding the security measures at the National Art Gallery following a series of thefts, the most recent being the cutting and theft of electrical cables during a Maldivian artists’ exhibition last Friday. Since the incident, the gallery has been left without electricity.
I am deeply troubled by the repeated theft of electric cables from the art gallery. This has occurred several times now, becoming more than just an inconvenience. It’s not the responsibility of the artists to secure the gallery’s electricity. The NCA and gallery management need… pic.twitter.com/jbMJCIuih8
— baachy (@baachy2013) October 4, 2024
Ahmed Azmee Haleem (Baachy), Chairperson of the Artist Community, voiced his concerns in a social media post, emphasizing that this is not an isolated incident. He urged for a permanent solution to enhance safety and security at the gallery, stating, "It's not the responsibility of the artists to secure the gallery’s electricity. The NCA and gallery management need to take more decisive action to address this problem."
Reports indicate that this incident marks the third time the gallery, situated in a high-security green zone monitored by police and the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), has experienced power cable theft. In a previous case, perpetrators managed to climb onto the gallery's roof and steal outdoor units from six air conditioners.
While the cases have been submitted to the police for investigation, no resolution has been reached so far. The police have yet to comment on the latest theft incident.
