Italy protests: Indian nationals in Italy advised to exercise caution, avoid crowded areas

The Indian Embassy in Rome has warned Indian nationals residing in Italy to be cautious and avoid crowded places and protest sites following recent demonstrations and clashes with police in various Italian cities. The embassy urged Indians to stay informed about local developments through news updates. In case of emergencies, Indians can contact the Embassy of India in Rome or the Consulate General of India in Milan through the provided emergency phone numbers.

The advisory follows unrest in central Milan, where shops in the luxury Via Montenapoleone district, including high-end brands like Chanel and Tiffany, closed early out of fear of more unrest. The violence erupted after a peaceful demonstration on Saturday against poor public services and increasing living costs. Protesters, mostly believed to be minors, set bins on fire and looted stores in the city centre over the weekend.

Property damage and disruptions to public services prompted Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to condemn the violence and call for peaceful demonstrations. Meloni met with ministers and security chiefs to discuss the situation, emphasizing that while peaceful protests are a right, damaging property is not. Italian police reported detaining 271 young individuals during the unrest in Milan, with 32 arrests, including 23 minors and 13 foreign nationals.

The unrest in Milan mirrored similar disturbances in other northern Italian cities like Bologna, Brescia, Bergamo, and Turin. These incidents echo recent protests in neighboring France, which saw hundreds of thousands take to the streets over rising living costs and declining public services.