French Interior Minister \u201cLaurent Nu\u00f1ez\u201d announced on Wednesday the suspension of the use of stun grenades during protests by high school students, following an incident that resulted in the hand of a 15-year-old protester being amputated.<\/p>\n
\u201cNu\u00f1ez\u201d said in remarks to French radio station \u201cRTL\u201d: \u201cI am suspending their use during high school student protests until the facts surrounding the circumstances of this case are clarified.\u201d<\/p>\n
The minister added that the General Inspectorate of the National Police has so far opened investigations into 18 cases, at a time when protesters continue to express their opposition to what they describe as the excessive use of force by security forces.<\/p>\n
In the same context, the office of French Prime Minister \u201cS\u00e9bastien Lecornu\u201d announced that he would deliver a public address on Wednesday evening regarding the student protests and a number of other issues, including public finances.<\/p>\n
\u201cLecornu\u2019s\u201d office explained that the address would also cover \u201cthe situation in high schools, fuel prices, the agricultural crisis, as well as the country\u2019s financial situation.\u201d<\/p>\n
Students are protesting the deteriorating condition of school buildings, overcrowded classrooms, and a shortage of teachers, including cases where substitutes are not provided for them. The protesters intend to organize new demonstrations tomorrow, Thursday, despite the government\u2019s call for them to return to schools and open a dialogue.<\/p>\n
Tens of thousands took to the streets across France on Tuesday to demand improved conditions in high schools, prompting President \u201cEmmanuel Macron\u201d to hold an emergency meeting with the prime minister and a number of relevant ministers to discuss ways of addressing the crisis.<\/p>\n
The Interior Ministry announced that around 256,000 protesters participated in Tuesday\u2019s demonstrations across France, including students, teachers, parents, and union members, with 56,000 of them in Paris. Organizers, meanwhile, estimated the nationwide turnout at around 450,000, including 100,000 in the capital.<\/p>\n
A total of 215 students have been injured since the protest movement began on September 17 in the Paris region, before the protests spread to other French cities.<\/p>\n
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