INTERNATIONAL\\ Maldives president Mohamed Nasheed resigned from office as tension escalated amidst mass protest, in the otherwise peaceful archipelago. Vice President Mohamed Waheed has been sworn in to rule the nation till the presidential elections next year. Nasheed had ordered the arrest of criminal court judge Abdulla Mohamed for releasing a government critic who, according to the judge, was illegally detained. This move was condemned and termed as unconstitutional by the Opposition, the Supreme Court and critics. Soon after, protests were organised and demonstrators accused Nasheed of being a dictator. Authorities in Maldives have asked the former president to make a public statement on the controversial arrest order of the judge, but he has reportedly refused to do so. The court has also issued an arrest warrant against him on suspicion of illegal arrest and breach of the constitution, but he has not been arrested yet. India sent its team of envoys to Maldives after he was deposed, and extended unqualified support to the new President, Mohamed Waheed. However, this decision has not been received well by many back home in India.