However, just a month later Gayoom banned political meetings of prodemocracy activists in Male' as they are proving too popular.

On May 21 the government banned public meetings.

The government had banned political meetings of more than five people earlier that month.

The Government has banned meetings of more than two people.

But several weeks ago, he said, signs were posted banning meetings there.

A police official near the site on Thursday said the Government had banned meetings and sit-ins there.

Asoka did ban festive meetings and discouraged eating of meat.

The commissioner also banned other meetings planned over the Easter weekend.

Between 1922 and 1950, the government banned nearly 100 parades and meetings, the vast majority of which were nationalist or republican.

But in August, signs were posted banning meetings there.