Several buildings, including a police station and a town hall, were set on fire overnight in New Caledonia, officials said on Monday, as unrest again flared in the French Pacific territory.
“During the night… there was unrest on the mainland and on the islands of Pins and Mare, which led to the call in of a large number of reinforcements, including attacks on police, arson and road blockages,” the High Commission, which represents the French state in the archipelago, said in a press release.
In mid-May, rioting and looting erupted in New Caledonia over electoral reform plans that indigenous Kanak people fear will leave them in a permanent minority, dashing hopes of independence.
The unrest killed nine people and caused damage estimated at more than 1.5 billion euros ($1.6 billion).
The French government responded by sending more than 3,000 troops and police to the region, some 17,000 kilometres (10,600 miles) from Paris.
The municipal police station and a garage in Doumbia, north of the capital Noumea, were set on fire. An AFP journalist said four armoured vehicles intervened.
According to AFP, several fires broke out in the Ducos and Magenta districts of Noumea, while clashes broke out between police and separatists in Bourel, resulting in one person being injured.
The High Commission reported that “several fires were extinguished”, particularly in Ducos and Magenta, and that “premises and vehicles of the city police and private vehicles” were set on fire.
The High Commission said that “abuse, vandalism and attempted arson were reported at several locations in Paita, a suburb of Noumea.” Police were also attacked in Mare.
On Monday morning, several schools were closed due to renewed unrest.
On Saturday, seven independence activists linked to a group accused of plotting last month’s riots were indicted and sent to mainland France for pre-trial detention.
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