Halloween gatherings may trigger fresh violence: France to deploy 70k personnel

Riot police in a violence-ravaged locality in Paris (Photo: Reuters).

French interior minister on Thursday warned of a "very high" risk of urban violence, as authorities prepare for the next wave of demonstrations that coincide with Halloween on Saturday.Interior minister Laurent Nuñez told reporters that around 70,000 police officers and gendarmes will be deployed across France, just like a week ago, Le Monde reported."The day of October 31 (Saturday) presents a very high risk of public disorder," Nuñez said, adding that security measures introduced last week to protect shops will be strengthened.The minister said demonstrations will be allowed, but "not in city centres, where there is a risk of public disorder".In a directive signed on Wednesday, Nunez instructed the Paris police chief and regional prefects to prepare a “robust” security deployment for the protests.“Multiple calls have been identified on social media for gatherings in city centres and public squares across the country, under the pretext of Halloween,” Nunez said in the directive, which was seen by AFP on Thursday.The analysis of those calls “leaves no doubt as to the intention of those behind them to commit further acts of violence and disorder,” the directive said.

“As a result, from early evening until late at night, the risk of urban violence is very high,” Nunez warned.France has witnessed widespread anger over the rising cost of living and inequality. Nationwide demonstrations on October 17 escalated into some of the country's worst rioting in years, with clashes, large-scale looting and vandalism of public property.Authorities have acknowledged security and intelligence failures that allowed the violence to erupt.Although demonstrations last weekend were largely peaceful, incidents of street violence were reported in Paris and other cities, AFP reported.The latest protests come amid an increasingly tense political climate, with presidential elections six months away and far-right leader Marine Le Pen leading opinion polls.On Monday, the government announced a series of measures aimed at addressing demands raised by student protesters. These include replacing the university admissions platform and providing loans for school renovations.