থলের বিড়াল খুজতেছি Police in the Maldives have taken control of the state broadcaster amid protests, reports say. Soldiers have used tear gas to break up a demonstration by supporters of ex-President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. Police were said to be among the protesters. Sources in the office of the current president, Mohamed Nasheed, told the BBC the protest took place in a high security zone near army headquarters. Unrest began last month over the arrest of a senior judge. The president's office has released a statement saying the government has taken "all necessary actions to stabilise the situation in Male", the capital of the Indian Ocean island chain. On Monday, around 50 policemen stood down in favour of the protesters and refused to obey orders. The president's office denied reports that the army fired rubber bullets at the protesting police officers. Tensions escalated after the Maldives army arrested a senior judge last month, prompting bitter street protests.