New Delhi: France is currently witnessing protests on its streets, fueled by issues such as inflation, unemployment, and a lack of basic amenities. What began as a movement concerning public services has now escalated into incidents of violence, arson, and looting. For the second consecutive day, protesters in several French cities have engaged in widespread unrest. With acts of arson, looting, and vandalism occurring in various locations, the country’s law and order situation has been severely shaken.
Instead of improving, the situation continues to deteriorate. In light of these developments, President Emmanuel Macron appealed to the public on Sunday to maintain peace. He also expressed his outrage over the violence, stating that it cannot be justified under any circumstances. Numerous individuals have been taken into custody or arrested as a result of police interventions.
How many protesters have been detained in France?
Protesters who have taken to the streets in France over issues like inflation and education have become a major challenge for the government. So far, approximately 2,400 people have been arrested during the protests. French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez reported that around 1,000 police officers have sustained injuries during the unrest.
He noted that more than 500,000 people took to the streets across the country. While the majority of these individuals were protesting peacefully, in several locations, some participants engaged in looting shops and committing acts of violence.
President expresses outrage over violence and looting.
President Macron has expressed deep displeasure regarding the unrest caused by the protesters. Addressing the nation on television on Sunday, he voiced his indignation over the incidents of violence and vandalism, asserting that nothing can justify these actions and that there is no valid excuse for them. He also asked how French citizens could commit such acts against their own country. Macron also acknowledged that some demands from peaceful protesters are legitimate. There is public discontent regarding issues such as inflation and the state of public services. He stated that the demands of those protesting peacefully should not be conflated with the actions of those resorting to violence.
Police fire tear gas canisters
Clashes have broken out between protesters and the police in Paris and Marseille. To bring the crowds under control, the police deployed tear gas canisters and water cannons, and in some instances, carried out baton charges. In the Place de la République area of Paris, protesters set fire to a pile of bicycles. The police managed to disperse the crowd by using tear gas and baton charges.
