Fresh Unrest Erupts In New Caledonia, Killing 9 And Torching Many Buildings

Several structures, including a police station and a town hall, were set on fire in New Caledonia overnight, officials said Monday, as the French Pacific territory saw a new wave of turmoil.

In a statement, the High Commission, which represents the French state in the archipelago, stated, “The night was… marked by unrest throughout the mainland and on the island of Pins and Mare, requiring the intervention of numerous reinforcements: with attacks on the police, arson, and roadblocks”.

In mid-day, rioting, and looting broke out in New Caledonia over an electoral reform scheme that Indigenous Kanak people feared would leave them in a permanent minority, effectively ruling out independence hopes.

The rioting resulted in nine deaths and damage estimated at more than 1.5 billion euros ($1.6 billion).

The French government replied by sending almost 3,000 troops and police to the area, which is about 17,000 kilometres (10,600 miles) from Paris.

The municipal police station and a garage in Dumbea, north of the capital Noumea, were destroyed by fire. Four armored vehicles interfered.

The High Commission stated that several fires were extinguished, mainly in Ducos and Magenta, and that the premises and vehicles of the municipal police as well as private vehicles were set on fire.

“Abuses, destruction, and attempted fires were also committed in several places in Paita, in the Noumea suburbs”, the High Commission continued.

The High Commission went on to say that police in Mare were also attacked.

Many schools were closed on Monday morning due to the renewed unrest.

On Saturday, seven independence activists associated with a group accused of orchestrating the riots last month were indicted and deported to mainland France for pre-trial detention.

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