France suspends stun grenade use after student loses hand

The French government has temporarily halted the use of stun grenades during student protests following a confrontation in Lens, northern France. A 15-year-old boy lost his hand in the incident, prompting Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez to order the suspension pending further investigation. Authorities stated the teenager inadvertently picked up and activated an anti-encirclement grenade deployed by police, causing it to explode.

However, students alleged the boy was directly hit by a grenade fired by an officer. Police watchdog IGPN has launched 18 investigations into whether officers used appropriate force during the demonstrations. Nuñez told French radio that the use of stun grenades would remain suspended until the circumstances of the Lens incident are clarified.

The grenades, while non-lethal, emit rubber projectiles upon detonation. The Lens incident has heightened concerns over police tactics in student demonstrations, which have spread to university students, parents, and trade unions. The protests have resulted in closures of over 500 schools and arrests of more than 500 people, with injuries reported among both students and police.