Two men were killed in New Caledonia during a police operation aimed at detaining activists suspected of involvement in deadly unrest that erupted in May. The violence was sparked by attempts from Paris to change voting rights in the French Pacific territory. This latest incident brings the death toll in the months of unrest in the territory to 13.
According to public prosecutor Yves Dupas, security forces fired shots after being threatened by a group of armed individuals. One man, aged 30, was shot in the abdomen and another man, aged 29, was shot in the chest. Police were searching for around a dozen people suspected of attacking security forces.
The Kanak people in New Caledonia have long sought independence from France, which first took control of the territory in 1853. The recent unrest was triggered by fears that proposed changes to voting lists would further marginalize the Kanaks by granting more rights to recent arrivals from mainland France.
Following the violence in May, French President Emmanuel Macron declared a state of emergency and sent in troops to help police maintain order. The latest police operation targeted individuals suspected of participating in the violence.
Eleven Kanak activists were arrested in June, including a prominent leader of the pro-independence movement. The group accused French authorities of colonial practices and demanded their immediate release. Despite the tensions, the Kanak people have vowed to continue their quest for independence peacefully.
The unrest in New Caledonia has highlighted the ongoing political challenges in the territory and the complex relationship between the Kanak people and the French government.
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