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Troops deployed, TikTok banned: Deadly riots shake New Caledonia as France tries to restore order

TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Last updated on - May 16, 2024, 22:52 IST

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Deadly riots

New Caledonia has been dealing with chaos as deadly riots erupt in the region. (Photo: Reuters)

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Why the protests are happening?

Conflicts arose in the days leading up to the National Assembly's vote in Paris regarding legislation that would allow French citizens living in New Caledonia for ten years to vote in provincial elections.

The parliamentary decision has sparked unease among the indigenous Kanak population, who worry that their political voice may be diminished as a result of the proposed law. The bill, if passed, would grant voting rights to French residents who have lived in the territory for a minimum of ten years, potentially altering the demographic balance in provincial elections. (Photo: AFP)

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4 casualties

The riots resulted in four casualties, three young indigenous Kanak people and a 24-year-old police officer who succumbed to gunshot wounds. (Photo: AP)

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France declares emergency

The most violent conflict in New Caledonia since the 1980s has resulted in burnt debris, rocks, and cement lying on the streets after four days of unrest along with armored vehicles patrolling normally tourist-filled palm-lined streets as France declared a state of Emergency in hopes to control the situation. Fearful residents have constructed makeshift roadblocks from various materials. Meanwhile, security forces have placed five suspected ringleaders under house arrest, according to the high commission representing the French state. (AP photo)

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TikTok banned

Gabriel Attal, the French Prime Minister, announced a ban on TikTok, citing its use by rioters. However, as of Thursday morning, AFP found fewer than 20 accounts on the platform that were connected to the unrest. (Photo: AFP)

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Authorities take charge

Staff from civil defense, officers from the Marseille Naval Fire battalion and French Gendarmerie officers were seen boarding an Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) of the 31st Strategic Airlift and Air Refueling Wing (31 EARTS) at the French Air and Space Force's Istres-Le Tube Air Base in Istres, southern France after declaration of emergency. (Photo: AFP)

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French military to assist handling of the riots

A French military plane was captured arriving at Noumea-Magenta airport, New Caledonia amid the French government's struggle to quash the riots. (Photo: AP)

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French President Macron holds security meeting

France's President Emmanuel Macron chaired a security and defence council at the Elysee presidential palace in Paris on May 16.

France's Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, France's minister for economy and finances Bruno Le Maire, France's minister for interior and overseas Gerald Darmanin, and Elysee's general secretary Alexis Kohler were part of the high-level meeting. (Photo: AFP)

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'Looting' amid riots

Reports of looting have also emerged as people deal with the riots.

Bystanders wandered through the remnants of fire-ravaged stores, maneuvering past mangled security gates, ransacked aisles, and abandoned wrappings. "We just grabbed what there was in the shops to eat. Soon there will be no more shops," said one woman in a suburb of the capital Noumea. The woman, speaking to AFP, justified her actions, and said, "We need milk for the children. I don't see it as looting."

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White flags on display

Eventhough riots have turned deadly, White flags were displayed by people to express their intention to peacefully keep watch over the neighbourhod, on a temporary roadblock set up by the residents in the Magenta district of Noumea. (Photo: AFP)

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