The Indian Embassy in France on Wednesday asked Indian nationals living in or travelling to the country to remain vigilant, after cost-of-living protests turned violent and several cities imposed curfews.
In a post on X, the embassy said that in view of the recent developments and localised curfews, people should remain vigilant and exercise due caution.
Similar curfews, some applying only to minors, were announced for Lyon, Nice and Coulaines. Students demanding better conditions in education joined people protesting the high cost of living. The protests turned violent in several cities, with looting and damage to property. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has asked the regional authorities to bring in localised, partial curfews.
More than half a million people took part in demonstrations across France on Saturday, October 17. Authorities said about 2,400 people were arrested across the country over the weekend. Also, limited curfews from 8 pm to 6 am were announced for four northern cities including Lille, and parts of Paris were put under a partial curfew with a ban on demonstrations.
Lecornu said new curfews would be imposed where necessary, in coordination with mayors.
Curfews helped bring a calmer night on Tuesday, but France is bracing for further unrest. The government plans to use the military to help keep order at protests planned for the coming weekend. The government has also promised a heavy police presence this weekend.
