India Issues Travel Advisory for Citizens in France Amid Violent Protests
The Indian Embassy in France advises citizens to exercise caution due to ongoing violent protests and local curfews.
Paris, October 21 (Daily Kiran) : The Indian Embassy in Paris has issued a travel and security advisory urging citizens to remain vigilant while in France. This advisory comes in the wake of violent protests that erupted over rising living costs. Demonstrations began in late September due to poor school conditions and a shortage of teachers. They quickly escalated into nationwide anti-government protests fueled by soaring fuel prices and general discontent with President Emmanuel Macron’s administration.
Following ongoing clashes, local curfews have been enforced, and potential transportation disruptions are expected. The embassy’s statement, shared on social media platform X, advises Indian citizens in France or those planning to visit to exercise caution, particularly in crowded areas or locations of protest.
Travelers and residents are encouraged to stay updated on official announcements from local French authorities, the French police prefecture, and the Indian Embassy’s X account. The advisory emphasizes the importance of maintaining contact with airlines or travel agencies for real-time updates regarding travel schedules.
The Indian Embassy’s post highlighted the need for heightened awareness and adherence to local instructions. Citizens were urged to avoid large gatherings and to follow updates from local news sources regarding potential disruptions in public transportation. In case of emergencies, Indian nationals can reach out to the embassy via email or phone.
According to Xinhua News Agency, the French government is committed to preventing violence during new social protests planned for Saturday, following widespread riots and thousands of arrests on October 17. President Macron reassured the media that all legal measures would be employed to prevent a recurrence of such violent incidents.
During a recent trip to Qatar, Macron emphasized the government’s resolve ahead of the upcoming protests scheduled for October 24. While some politicians have called for a state of emergency, Macron stated that such a measure is currently unnecessary but could be implemented if required in the future.
In response to the riots on October 17, curfews were imposed in several cities, and Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu noted that these measures helped maintain peace on the night of October 23.
