Mauritius imposes curfew after unrest over police shooting
After a police officer shot a young woman, protesters burned barricades and police stations were damaged. Prime Minister Ramgoolam ordered an overnight curfew.
Archive image · Photo: Arne Müseler / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 de (cropped and resized)
Mauritius imposed a curfew on the capital, Port Louis, and other major population centres after a night of unrest. Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam said it would run from 8:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. local time. The unrest was triggered after a police officer shot a 27-year-old woman travelling home from work, Reuters reported; Health Ministry officials said she had successful surgery. Local media said a police sergeant had been charged, and police said an investigation is underway.
Protesters burned tyres and blocked roads on Monday night. According to The Rio Times, police stations in Bambous and Barkly were damaged, 10 people were arrested and three officers injured, with no deaths confirmed. Exams for more than 33,000 students were postponed and some schools closed. Opposition figures urged restraint, and the cabinet was due to assess the situation on Wednesday.