The French government has ordered police to stop using stun grenades while managing student protests after a 15-year-old boy lost his hand due to an explosion amid ongoing violent clashes in the country.
On Wednesday, 7 Oct 2026 GMT+7, the French Ministry of the Interior announced a temporary suspension of the use of “stun grenades” or “anti-encirclement grenades” during student protests nationwide, pending investigation results. This follows a serious injury to a 15-year-old boy who lost his hand during protests in the city of Lens.
Officials claim the injured boy picked up a grenade that had fallen, causing it to explode. However, students argue that police shot the grenade directly at him, while several eyewitnesses state the boy did not attempt to pick up the grenade at all.
Police unions expressed doubts about the suspension order, saying it was an emotional decision rather than a rational one. They voiced concerns that without this equipment to disperse crowds, there could be closer confrontations leading to more injuries.
The student protests that erupted two weeks ago continued to impact schools on Wednesday (7 Oct 2026 GMT+7), with over 500 schools closed either fully or partially. At least 24 schools have been set on fire or severely damaged, leading to prolonged closures affecting approximately 30,000 students.
During the latest clashes between police and students on Tuesday, tear gas and high-pressure water cannons were used, resulting in 488 arrests and 43 police officers injured, according to the French Ministry of the Interior.
Overall injuries since protests began in mid-September include 215 students, 85 school staff, and 715 police officers, alongside more than 6,500 people detained or arrested.
The National Police Oversight Office (IGPN) is investigating at least 18 cases to determine if police used excessive force. Other serious cases under review include a 14-year-old child who was hit by tear gas causing a broken tooth and fractured jaw, and an allegation that police forced a 17-year-old's head underwater during an arrest.
The protests demanding better school environments have expanded to include parents, university students, and labor unions staging demonstrations across major cities nationwide. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu accused the far-left party LFI of trying to stir unrest for political advantage ahead of the presidential election.
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Source:bbc