France has suspended the use of stun grenades during student protests following a severe incident in the northern city of Lens. A 15-year-old boy lost his hand near Auguste Béhal High School on Monday, where demonstrations over school conditions were taking place. The incident has sparked controversy, with authorities and protesters providing conflicting accounts. The Interior Minister, Laurent Nuñez, ordered the suspension pending an investigation into what happened.
According to the local prefecture, police were confronted by 200 to 250 students who were throwing stones and fireworks. Authorities claim the teenager picked up an anti-encirclement grenade deployed by police, which then exploded. However, students allege that the boy was directly hit by a grenade fired by an officer. The police watchdog, IGPN, has opened 18 investigations into whether officers used proportionate force during the demonstrations.
The stun grenades in question are classified as non-lethal weapons but release rubber projectiles when they detonate. Nuñez stated that the use of these grenades would remain suspended until the circumstances surrounding the incident were established. The Lens incident has intensified concerns over police tactics during student demonstrations, which have spread from high school pupils to university students, parents, and trade unions.
The incident has contributed to a growing crisis, with over 500 schools fully or partially closed following nationwide protests. The Interior Ministry reported 488 arrests and 43 security officers injured during the demonstrations. Concerns over police conduct had already grown following another incident last week in Saint-Ouen-l’Aumône, where a 14-year-old boy was hit in the face by a tear-gas grenade, losing several teeth and suffering a fractured jaw.
A police officer has been charged in connection with the Saint-Ouen-l’Aumône incident. Furthermore, prosecutors opened an attempted-murder investigation after a 17-year-old protester alleged that a police officer held his head underwater while trying to arrest him near a river in Belfort. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu condemned violence during the protests, stating that 215 students, 85 school staff, and 715 police officers had been injured since the demonstrations began in mid-September.
President Emmanuel Macron held an emergency meeting with Lecornu and other senior ministers to address the escalating crisis. Government figures estimated that over 250,000 people participated in Tuesday’s demonstrations, while student unions put the turnout at around 450,000. Further protests are planned for Thursday in Paris and other French cities. The government is seeking to find a way out of the crisis.
The suspension of stun grenades and the investigations into police actions are likely to be crucial in addressing the concerns of protesters and the public. The French government faces the challenge of balancing the need to maintain order with the need to respect the rights and safety of protesters. The situation remains volatile, with many stakeholders closely watching the developments.
Key points
- France suspends use of stun grenades amid controversy over police actions during student protests.
- 15-year-old boy loses hand in Lens incident, sparking conflicting accounts from authorities and protesters.
- Over 250,000 people participate in demonstrations across France, with further protests planned.
