New Caledonia sees relative calm following days of violence
File photo.
The French Pacific territory ofNewCaledonia saw relative calm on Friday (May 17) following days of violenceover voting reform that have left five dead and hundreds injured, the news agency AFP reportedcitingauthorities.
French high commissioner Louis Le Franc, the highest-ranking state official in New Caledonia, said that reinforcements would control areas that got out of hand in recent days.
Le Franc said that the more military andarmed police arriving in New Caledonia'scapitalNoumeawould allow authorities to "reconquer all the places in the city that we have lost".
More French troops arrive inNewCaledonia
Rioting in New Caledonia began earlier this week after people, angrywith an electoralreformburnt businesses, torched cars, looted shopsandset up road barricades. France earlier declared a state of emergency.
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Four peopleincludinga policeofficialdiedandhundreds were arrested.
The electoral reform, adopted by lawmakers on Tuesday, wouldlet French residents who have lived inNewCaledoniafor10years the right to vote in provincial elections.
Some local leaders fear the move will dilute the indigenous Kanak vote.
On Thursday,French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said that about1,000 extra security forces werebeing senttoNewCaledonia-- adding to the 1,700 already present.
The troops arrived at La Tontouta International Airport and couldbe seenmoving through Noumea.
NewCaledonia has stocks of food for only twomonths
In a statement, New Caledonia's government said thatthe island hadstocks of foodfor only two monthsandthe problem was distribution.
The violence has led to a scarcity of food and medicines.
Watch |New Caledonia protest: France sends troops to diffuse unrest
Le Franc also said on Friday that operations to supplyfood and medicine to the public would beginwith teams, including specialists in mine clearing, removing road barricades that have been booby-trapped by rioters.
(With inputs from agencies)