PNN – As student protests persist in France, the government fears the emergence of a movement similar to the “Yellow Vests.”
According to the report of Pakistan News Network citing the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, student protests and blockades continued in France on Wednesday, and the situation remains tense.
Following serious injuries sustained by teenagers during police operations at student protests, the French government has suspended the police use of sound grenades.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez told RTL radio on Wednesday that the measure would initially apply only to student protests, in order to clarify exactly what occurred. On Monday, a 15-year-old boy from Lens, in northern France, had his hand severed by such a grenade.
An investigation will also be conducted to determine whether the police operation complied with regulations. The police inspectorate has launched an inquiry.
The police are currently investigating 18 cases related to student protests. These cases include the injury of a 14-year-old boy who was struck at close range by a tear gas grenade. The boy, named Eden, lost most of his teeth and suffered a broken jaw.
Human rights groups, opposition politicians, and many students have accused the police of using excessive force in recent days.
School protests in France continued today, Wednesday. This morning, further blockades took place at high schools and universities, including the prestigious Sciences Po in Paris. As a precaution, 528 schools remained fully or partially closed. Teachers’ unions have called for further demonstrations on Thursday. Young people are demanding better school resources, more teachers, and improved learning conditions.
Number of Detainees Rises to 6,500
According to the Ministry of the Interior, 266,000 people participated in protest marches in Paris and other major cities on Tuesday, while education unions reported 450,000 participants.
The ministry announced that another 488 people were arrested and 43 security personnel were injured. Since the protests began, more than 6,500 people have been arrested, the majority of whom were minors.
In an interview with RTL, the Interior Minister stated that French President Emmanuel Macron called for restraint during an emergency meeting.
The government is concerned that the protests—fueled by high fuel prices and the cost of living—could spread to other areas and trigger a repeat of the “Yellow Vests” protests, which gripped France for an extended period in 2019.
Against this backdrop, French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu is set to address the nation tonight regarding the situation in secondary schools, high fuel prices, the agricultural crisis, and the country’s precarious financial state.