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

The French government has temporarily halted the use of stun grenades in response to a distressing incident during student protests. A 15-year-old boy suffered a severe injury after his hand was blown off, allegedly due to an anti-encirclement grenade fired by police near a high school in Lens, northern France. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez requested a pause in the use of stun grenades until the facts surrounding the incident were clarified.

Conflicting accounts emerged from both protesters and officials regarding the circumstances of the explosion.

The suspension comes amidst widespread concerns over the level of force used by police against students. Over 500 schools were partially or fully closed, resulting in significant disruption. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu is scheduled to address the issue in a televised statement. Hundreds of thousands of students and supporters took to the streets on Tuesday, demanding better school conditions, with tear gas and water cannon deployed in some areas.

Police have made arrests and reported injuries, with 488 individuals arrested and 43 security force members hurt. The Interior Ministry's police watchdog, IGPN, has initiated 18 investigations into whether officers acted appropriately during the demonstrations. Nuñez acknowledged that there are questions within the Ministry of the Interior regarding the conduct of police during these events.

The incident has reignited debates over the use of non-lethal weapons and the protection of students' rights during protests. President Emmanuel Macron convened an emergency meeting with key ministers to address the crisis, which has seen almost a quarter of all secondary schools disrupted. Student unions estimate that over 450,000 students have participated in protests, with plans for further demonstrations in Paris and other cities.