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

France has halted the use of stun grenades in the wake of a shocking incident involving a 15-year-old student whose hand was blown off during recent student protests. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez requested the suspension until the facts surrounding the incident in Lens were clarified. Several protesters and officials have offered conflicting accounts of the events leading up to the boy's injury.

The protests, which began in mid-September, have seen over 500 schools shut, and Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu is set to address the issue in an evening speech. Tear gas and water cannons were deployed by security forces, resulting in hundreds of arrests and injuries to both civilians and law enforcement. The interior ministry reported 488 arrests and 43 hurt security force members.

Nuñez announced that 18 investigations were underway to determine whether the officers involved used disproportionate force during the demonstrations. The boy who lost his hand claims he picked up the anti-encirclement grenade, which subsequently exploded. However, students allege he was targeted directly after an officer fired. The incident occurred near Auguste Béhal high school in Lens, near Lille.

The government has been criticized for its handling of the protests, with concerns raised about the use of non-lethal weapons and the force exerted against students. President Emmanuel Macron called an emergency meeting to address the crisis, which has affected nearly a quarter of all lycées. Students' unions anticipate a fourth round of protests on Thursday.