Maldives - Former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed has said that he was forced to resign "at gunpoint" by police and army officers in a coup.

He said the move was planned with the knowledge of Vice-President Mohammed Waheed Hassan Manik, who has replaced him. Mr Hassan denies the claims.

Dozens of demonstrators - including Mr Nasheed - were injured as riot police used tear gas and batons against protesters in Republic Square.

Mr Nasheed quit on Tuesday amid unrest.

He announced his resignation after police joined opposition-led protests over the detention of a top judge.

Several thousand Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) supporters, led by Mr Nasheed, marched through the streets of the capital earlier on Wednesday in protest at his ousting.

Acting police commissioner Abdulla Fairooz said "around 40" people have been arrested in the protests, including former MDP chairperson Mariya Ahmed Didi.

The BBC's Andrew North, in Male, says soldiers in riot gear and police with batons charged the crowd and fired tear gas. The main square is now blocked off by soldiers and police.

There was an ugly atmosphere in this tiny capital on the sea as darkness fell, with clashes continuing between Maldives security forces and supporters of the former president, Mohamed Nasheed.

We witnessed a baton charge by police on crowds gathered outside one of the main hospitals.

People scattered as officers sprinted towards them, silhouetted against the lights of passing traffic.

Inside the hospital, dozens of Mr Nasheed's supporters are still being treated for injuries, following earlier scuffles in the main square.

Among them is Reeko Moosa Maniku, chairman of Mr Nasheed's Maldives Democratic Party - who was with the former president when the clashes broke out.

With a large head bandage and his shirt bloodied, he regained consciousness as we arrived. The police said they would kill me, he told us, as they beat me.