'Over 1,000 police officers injured' amid raging protests, says French interior minister

French Interior Minister, Gerald Darmanin said that more than 1,000 law enforcement officers and firefighters have been injured in demonstrations and riots across France. On Sunday, French Minister gave an interview with French news outlet, Journal du Dimanche, where he talked about riots-like situation across western European country. While Darmanin highlighted plight of French officers, he vehemently denied allegations that brute forces have been used by police to tackle French protestors. country has been engulfed in nationwide protests against new pension reforms pushed by French  President Emmanuel Macron. reform raised  French retirement from 62 years to 64 years. In several areas, protests have become even more violent with protestors clashing with police, creating a riot-like situation in several French cities. 

 "1093 police officers, gendarmes and firefighters have been injured,” Darmanin told French news outlet. “re have also been 2,579 arson attacks and 316 attacks on public buildings," he added. However, French Minister did t reveal how many protestors were left injured in clashes between French police and French protestors. French minister also made it clear that 36 officers are being probed on charges of excessive use of force. 

Darmanin blames ‘ultra-left thugs’ amid brewing turmoil

While french interior minister denied allegations that brute force has been used by French police to curb ongoing protests, he blamed ‘ultra-left thugs’ for all chaos. "When violence, thugs and ultra-left get involved, n it is duty of police to say stop,” Darmanin told Journal du Dimanche. French diplomat made it clear that se thugs were present at sites of clashes to destroy property or to “kill cops”. 

According to DW, it was March 16 when French protests instantly turned violent after French President Emmanuel Macron pushed pension reform by using his special powers. He overrode National Assembly before chamber could sit and decide on reforms. While decision led to an eruption of riot-like situations all across country,  Macron administration mand to survive a -confidence motion that was pushed in parliament. Some of protesters disrupted shops and buildings during ir demonstrations. French police on or hand fired teargas and used batons to deal with protesters. It is important to te that constitutional council is still reviewing contentious reform.