While the country is still remembering the lives lost on that fateful day, Maldivians are yet again being faced with the reminder that the main mastermind behind the failed coup, Abdulla Luthufee is now being set free after serving his ‘life sentence’, which is 25 years in the Maldives.
November 3rd is a poignant date engraved into Maldivian history, forever remembered as the day when a thwarted coup unfolded in 1988, leaving an indelible mark on the nation. Even after 35 years, the memories of that fateful day persist, vivid and haunting. The failed coup, occurring on November 3rd, 1988, holds a sombre place in the collective consciousness of the Maldivian people, a stark reminder of a time when the tranquil air of the nation was pierced by the echoes of gunfire.
The failed attempt had profound consequences, claiming the lives of eight valiant soldiers who stood resolute in defence of their homeland. Today, the narrative of that historic day endures, with the spectre of a major threat looming over the nation, and the haunting sounds of bullets echoing through the once-peaceful archipelago of the Maldives. The resilience of those who faced this perilous challenge and the collective memory of a nation united in the face of adversity continue to shape the Maldivian narrative, ensuring that the events of November 3rd, 1988, remain eternally etched in the nation's consciousness.
The Failed Coup
To this day, people still talk about how in the early hours of that fateful day gunfire was heard throughout the capital city of Male’ when a group of Tamil insurgents, led by a local mastermind named Abdulla Luthufee aided by Sir Lanka’s People’s Liberation Organisation of Tamil Ealam (PLOTE) attempted to overthrow the Government in order to claim the power in the country.
While they had a grand plan to overthrow the government, the coup was faced with logistical issues and unexpected obstacles which led to a chaotic confrontation by the National Security Services, leading to the sudden exchange of gunfire which echoed throughout the city.
As the skirmish unfolded, the death of PLOTE commander Vasanthi during the initial confrontation dealt a severe blow to the insurgents' morale and leadership. With their communication disrupted and objectives compromised, the militants resorted to a desperate escape plan.
Despite hijacking a ship and taking hostages, the intervention of armed Indian soldiers averted further disaster. The Indian warship intercepted the vessel, leading to a tragic series of events, including the sinking of the hijacked ship and loss of lives. The Maldives, though spared from a coup, bore a heavy toll, with 19 citizens, both soldiers and civilians, paying the ultimate price in a day that shook the nation to its core.
Present Day Reminder
This fateful day is one that cannot be forgotten in the nation, as the 19 citizens and soldiers who lost their lives to their heroic acts are remembered every year on the 3rd of November. While the country is still remembering the lives lost on that fateful day, Maldivians are yet again being faced with the reminder that the main mastermind behind the failed coup, Abdulla Luthufee is now being set free after serving his ‘life sentence’, which is 25 years in the Maldives.
While Luthufee was supposed to face a death sentence following the severe consequences of the coup that took place, the President at the time Maumoon Abdul Qayoom decided that Luthufee should serve a life sentence instead. Luthufee was supposed to have served his sentence much earlier than now, however, as he fled the Maldives to Sri Lanka during his sentence, he also had to serve time for this felony.
As November 3rd annually marks a sombre day in the Maldives, the memories of the failed coup in 1988 persist as a stark testament to the nation's resilience in the face of adversity. The echoes of gunfire that disrupted the tranquil air of Male' still resonate, a haunting reminder of the profound consequences that unfolded during that fateful confrontation between the Tamil insurgents and the National Security Services.
While the failed coup left an indelible mark on the Maldives, claiming the lives of valiant soldiers and civilians alike, the nation's collective memory remains steadfast. The present-day release of Abdulla Luthufee, the mastermind behind the coup, serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities surrounding justice and the passage of time. As the country commemorates the sacrifices made on that tragic day, it grapples with the complexities of forgiveness and the challenges of reconciling with a troubled past.
The resilience demonstrated by the Maldivian people during the failed coup and in the years that followed serves as a testament to the strength of the nation. The annual remembrance of November 3rd ensures that the sacrifices of the fallen are never forgotten, reinforcing the commitment to building a future where peace prevails over the echoes of a turbulent past.
