France halts stun grenade use after boy's hand blown off in student protests

The French government has temporarily suspended the use of stun grenades by police during student protests following a tragic incident in Lens, where a 15-year-old boy lost his hand. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez stated that there is a strong possibility that the non-lethal stun grenade was responsible for the injury. The suspension is in place until more clarity is obtained regarding the events surrounding the Lens incident.

The government has also referred 18 investigations to the police inspectorate. The student protests, which have been ongoing for over two weeks, are primarily due to concerns over underfunded education, outdated infrastructure, teacher shortages, and low student performance in international assessments. The protests have resulted in hundreds of arrests and numerous school closures.

Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu acknowledged the students' legitimate demands but described the unrest as the most violent in decades. Political opponents and rights groups have criticized the police for using excessive force. Similar student protests have also erupted in Belgium and Portugal, reflecting broader concerns across Europe about education, funding, and inequality.