France has suspended the use of stun grenades by police in student demonstrations following a shocking incident that left a 15‑year‑old boy with a severed hand near a high‑school campus in Lens.
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez announced the pause, stating investigations must clarify the facts. The incident, described as an anti‑encirclement grenade explosion, has sparked debate over police tactics amid widespread protests demanding better school conditions.
Nationally, more than 250,000 protesters march on a range of demands, forcing the closure of over 500 schools and resulting in 488 arrests and 43 injuries among police forces. Tear gas and water cannons have been deployed in several cities as clashes intensify.
The government has launched 18 investigations into the use of force, with the Independent Commission for the Prevention of Negative Practices (IGPN) reviewing each case. Reports also mention a 14‑year‑old injured by a tear gas grenade and a 17‑year‑old alleged to have been held underwater by police during a protest in Belfort.
President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu met urgently to address the crisis, while the Ministry of the Interior stresses its commitment to protecting students. Police encouragement and calls for restraint are issued as the fourth wave of protests is planned for Thursday downtown and other city centers, with unions forecasting further escalation.
