France suspends stun grenade use at student protests after teen loses hand

In a move that could reshape policing of mass demonstrations, France has halted the deployment of stun grenades in the wake of a 15‑year‑old’s hand being blown off during a clash in Lens. The decision, announced by Interior Minister Laurent Nunez on Wednesday, comes amid a fortnight‑long wave of student and parent protests that have already seen hundreds of schools closed, thousands arrested and a sharp rise in injuries.

On Monday, a demonstration near the Auguste Béhal high school in Lens turned violent when a stun grenade was fired in close proximity to a group of students. The device detonated, and a 15‑year‑old protester suffered a traumatic amputation of his left hand. Authorities say the teenager may have picked up the grenade before it exploded, while students insist police fired the device directly at him. The case has sparked a flurry of legal and political reactions.

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In the hours that followed, Interior Minister Nunez told the national broadcaster RTL that the use of stun grenades would be halted “until we know exactly what happened.” He clarified that the suspension applies solely to the student protest movement and would remain in place until the circumstances of the Lens incident are clarified by investigators. The National Police Inspectorate (IGPN) has opened 18 internal investigations into alleged misconduct since the protests began, and a police officer has already been charged over a tear‑gas grenade that struck a 14‑year‑old in northwest Paris.

These events unfolded against a backdrop of escalating unrest that began in late September when students blocked entrances to hundreds of high schools to protest teacher shortages, overcrowded classrooms and dilapidated facilities. The movement has since expanded to include parents, university students and trade unions, bringing the protest movement to cities across the country. On Tuesday, the Interior Ministry reported that 250,000 people participated in demonstrations nationwide, though organisers claimed the figure was closer to 450,000. The protests were largely peaceful, but clashes with riot police erupted in several cities, including Paris, Strasbourg, Rennes and Toulouse.

Police response has been heavily criticised. Rights groups and unions have accused authorities of using disproportionate force. Amnesty France’s president, Anne Savinel‑Barras, said images from the protests raised “alarming concerns about the dangerous use of tear gas, batons and policing techniques.” Meanwhile, the government has defended the overall police response, stating that most incidents were handled proportionally. Interior Minister Nunez said that “officers were there to protect the students,” even as he acknowledged the seriousness of the Lens injury.

The scale of the unrest is reflected in the numbers. Since the protests began, 6,547 people have been arrested, with 488 detained on Tuesday alone. The Ministry of Justice reports that more than 1,800 people are being prosecuted, including 1,483 minors. Police injuries have also risen, with 715 officers and 215 teenagers reported injured in clashes. Meanwhile, the Education Ministry counted 429 high schools with fully or partially suspended classes on Wednesday, down from 528 the previous day. The Ministry of Education also recorded 24 schools that had been burned or vandalised, affecting an estimated 30,000 pupils.

The decision to suspend stun grenades follows a series of high‑profile incidents that have intensified political pressure on the government. President Emmanuel Macron convened an emergency meeting with Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu and other key ministers on the night of 6 Oct, seeking a way to de‑escalate the crisis. Lecornu is scheduled to deliver a public address later on Wednesday, addressing both the protests and France’s strained public finances. The country’s 10‑year government bond yield briefly surpassed 5% last week, reaching a 24‑year high, a development that has limited the government’s capacity to meet the demands for increased education spending.

Political actors have also weighed in. The left‑wing France Unbowed (LFI) party has called for a ban on “weapons of war” at demonstrations, while the Socialist Party has urged that grenades and rubber bullets not be used where minors are present. The government, meanwhile, has accused LFI of stoking violence and has described the unrest as “the most violent student demonstrations in decades.”

What to watch next? The government will announce its proposals for addressing the protests by the end of October, following a series of consultations with students and unions. The Interior Ministry will continue to investigate the Lens incident, and the outcome may influence the duration of the stun grenade suspension. Meanwhile, the upcoming presidential election in April will likely bring renewed scrutiny to the handling of the protests and the state of public finances.

For a deeper look at the Lens incident and its impact on the local community, see French student loses hand during Lens clash. For details on school closures and the broader impact on education, consult France to shutter up to 500 schools as more student protests called.