France Suspends Stun Grenades at Student Protests After Teenager Seriously Injured

PARIS, France — France has suspended the use of stun grenades during high school protests after a 15-year-old student suffered a severe hand injury during clashes with police in the northern city of Lens.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez announced the suspension on Wednesday, saying the measure would remain in place until authorities establish what happened during Monday’s incident.

The decision comes as nationwide student demonstrations over school conditions enter a critical phase, with hundreds of schools disrupted and growing scrutiny over the police response.

Nuñez said the police watchdog, the Inspectorate General of the National Police (IGPN), has opened 18 investigations into alleged misconduct during the protests. He acknowledged that the events in Lens had raised serious questions within the Interior Ministry.

Conflicting Accounts of Lens Incident

The 15-year-old was injured outside Auguste Béhal High School in Lens on Monday after a police grenade exploded.

Authorities have said the teenager picked up the device before it detonated, while some students have alleged that he was struck by a device fired by an officer. The precise circumstances remain under investigation.

The incident has intensified criticism from student groups, rights organisations and political opponents who accuse police of using excessive force against young protesters.

The government, however, has defended the police response, arguing that officers have been confronted with violence and property damage during some demonstrations.

More Than 500 Schools Disrupted

The protests continued on Wednesday, with more than 500 schools reported to be fully or partially closed.

Education Minister Édouard Geffray said 24 schools had been seriously damaged by fires or vandalism and could remain closed for several weeks, potentially affecting about 30,000 students. The government has estimated repair costs at up to €30 million.

The demonstrations began over concerns including deteriorating school infrastructure, teacher shortages, overcrowded classrooms and broader education inequalities.

The movement has since expanded beyond high school students, drawing in parents, university students, teachers and trade unions.

Hundreds Arrested During Nationwide Demonstrations

Tuesday saw one of the largest days of mobilisation since the protests began.

The Interior Ministry said about 256,000 people took part in demonstrations nationwide, while student and union organisers estimated the turnout at roughly 450,000. Police arrested 488 people and reported 43 members of the security forces injured.

Most demonstrations were peaceful, but clashes occurred in several cities, with police deploying tear gas and other crowd-control measures.

The unrest has also resulted in injuries among students and police officers. Authorities say hundreds of people have been hurt since the movement began, while more than 6,500 arrests have been recorded, most involving minors.

Further Investigations Into Police Conduct

The Lens incident is not the only case to raise questions about police conduct.

A 14-year-old student was seriously injured in the face during a confrontation involving police in Saint-Ouen-l'Aumône last week. A police officer has been charged in connection with that incident.

Authorities are also investigating a complaint from a 17-year-old protester who alleges that an officer held his head underwater during an arrest near a river in Belfort. The teenager has also been charged in connection with an alleged assault on the officer.

Nuñez has rejected descriptions of the wider response as police repression, saying officers have been responding to violence and damage. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has likewise defended the principle of proportionate police action while supporting investigations into individual incidents.

Government Under Pressure to Respond

President Emmanuel Macron held an emergency meeting with Lecornu and senior ministers on Tuesday as the government sought to contain the escalating unrest.

Lecornu has proposed setting aside part of the school day for students to discuss their concerns, while the government has launched an online consultation that attracted tens of thousands of responses within its first day.

Student unions, however, say consultation alone will not resolve the underlying problems. They have called for concrete measures addressing school infrastructure, staffing and educational conditions and have announced plans for further demonstrations.

The government is also facing increasing political pressure as France approaches its next presidential election.

Far-left politicians have criticised the police response, while far-right leader Marine Le Pen has accused the government of failing to support law enforcement.

Protests Continue

With another round of demonstrations expected, the government faces the challenge of balancing demands for improved education with concerns over violence, property damage and public order.

For students and their supporters, the protests represent growing frustration with the condition of France's education system. For the government, the increasingly confrontational demonstrations have become a broader test of its ability to maintain public order while responding to legitimate concerns from young people.

The temporary suspension of stun grenades marks the government's most significant immediate response to mounting criticism over police tactics. The outcome of the investigations into the Lens incident and other alleged cases of misconduct is likely to influence the next stage of the protests.