New Delhi, Oct 19: French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has authorised local mayors to impose partial curfews in some areas to protect residents and businesses following a weekend of riots and looting, the BBC reported. Announcing the measures after an emergency cabinet meeting in Paris, Lecornu said the government was determined to prevent further violence. He warned that a state of emergency could be imposed if the unrest continued.
The Prime Minister said people wanted to know how such violence had erupted in the country. He also announced that 200 investigators would begin examining video footage of the weekend’s violence, including recordings posted online, to identify those responsible and bring them to justice.
The unrest began last month with student protests over school conditions but later widened to include broader grievances. More than 500,000 people took to the streets on Saturday, with demonstrations turning violent in several places. Buildings were set on fire and shops looted.
The violence continued on Sunday, when police arrested more than 350 people in Paris, with at least five shops reportedly looted.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez admitted that police had “lost control” in some cities and acknowledged a “lack of anticipation” by the authorities. He offered to resign, but President Emmanuel Macron wants him to remain in office, according to the BBC.
Lecornu also criticised the political far-left, accusing it of attempting to fuel disorder ahead of next April’s presidential election. The Justice Minister is expected to provide further details on measures to prevent a recurrence of the violence.
The government’s latest steps come amid growing concerns over public order and the effectiveness of the police response to the unrest.
