New Caledonia imposes curfew after day of violent protests against constitutional change

Car dealerships have been set on fire and supermarkets looted in Pacific French territory as protests against changes to voter eligibility spread

New Caledonia has imposed a curfew and banned public gatherings in the capital, Nouméa, after a day of protests around the French territory against planned changes to the constitution turned violent, with reports of widespread looting and businesses set on fire.

A “great deal of damage” was done to businesses including car dealerships, shops, pharmacies and security cameras in Nouméa and numerous police officers were injured in the violence, the French high commission in New Caledonia said in a statement on Tuesday. Thirty-six people were arrested.

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