Sporadic violence erupted in the Maldives early this week as thousands of people descended on the streets of capital Male, protesting against the government over the soaring prices of consumer goods and services; and for alleged government mismanagement of public funds and uneconomical spending.

On April 17, at least four people were killed, more than 20 others injured during a violent clash between indigenous hill people and Bengali settlers at Shankholapara of Ramgarh area in Khagrachhari. Around 60 houses of ethnic minority people were burnt. The violence reportedly flared up when the settlers began clearing 50 acres of forest on a hillock that originally belongs to the Marma tribal people.