Photo: Reuters
Bangla Press Desk: Protests across France, sparked by soaring inflation and the unchecked rise in the cost of living, have turned extremely violent. Emmanuel Grégoire, a deputy mayor of Paris, stated that the rampage by armed, masked youths has left streets across the capital in ruins.
Police have arrested 1,200 people in connection with the escalating violence. According to French government figures, approximately 550,000 people took to the streets.
A BBC report notes that while a major student-led march in Paris remained largely peaceful until the afternoon, the situation grew increasingly confrontational as the day progressed. Protesters set fires in various key locations, including the ‘Place de la République’ in the city center.
Riot police deployed tear gas, water cannons, and batons to disperse the agitated crowds.
The unrest has caused extensive damage to several historic landmarks and businesses. French official Sébastien Lecornu reported that at least 150 police officers have been injured in the clashes and chaos. Meanwhile, in the city of Saint-Étienne, a young protester suffered a horrific injury when a police-deployed grenade exploded, blowing off his hand.
The unrest originated as a student movement protesting against teacher shortages and dilapidated infrastructure in secondary schools (*lycées*). On Saturday, the movement gained momentum as labor unions and activists from the historic 2018 ‘Yellow Vest’ (*gilets jaunes*) movement joined the protests, transforming the situation into a nationwide, large-scale anti-government confrontation and a major public uprising.
BP/TD
