NEW DELHI: More than 100 people, including police soldiers and officers, sustained injury in the continuing unrest in New Caledonia, European interior secretary Gerald Darmanin said on Wednesday.
Authorities are yet to determine the” circumstances” that led to the nighttime deaths of one man on Tuesday and Wednesday, according to Darmanin, and dozens of homes and businesses were torched as a result of rioting in protest of constitutional reforms.
Macron calls problems gathering
According to his office, French President Emmanuel Macron convened a meeting of the defense and national security council to explain the riots that have claimed the lives of hundreds in New Caledonia.
Macron has moved the ordinary weekly cabinet meeting to the evening, according to officials, and a trip to a European region that was scheduled for early Wednesday has been canceled.
3 killed, businesses and universities remain locked
Three people have been killed in the turmoil, an official said. Shops and schools were shut down as protests continued on Wednesday after the French national assembly approved changes to the island’s election laws.
Regulators in the industrial area reported one accident and two other fatalities as a result of gunshot wounds. According to high commissioner Louis le Franc, the picture was probably coming from” someone who perhaps was defending himself” rather than “law enforcement.”
This year, conflicts started to build up.
This year, conflicts started to build up. preceding the parliamentary vote in Paris on a bill enabling French residents residing in New Caledonia for a decade to participate in provincial elections—a move local leaders fear could dilute the Kanak vote.
In the midst of the unrest, both French President Emmanuel Macron and New Caledonian President Louis Mapou have urged for quiet and speech.
Authorities reported one accident in an industrial area as a result of gunshot wounds, with higher commissioner Louis le Franc stating that the picture possibly came from” people who probably was defending himself.”
The French government argued in support of the new election rules change, which was supported by legislators 351 to 153, that it was necessary for democratic elections in the region. Before a unique congress ratifies the costs, President Macron suggested dialogue between New Caledonia’s pro- and anti-independence factions.
Front de Liberation Nationale Kanak et Socialiste ( FLNKS), the main political party in favor of independence, said it was willing to engage in dialogue and work toward a deal that would “give New Caledonia the opportunity to advance toward self-determination.”
( with input from agency )
