France Halts Use of Stun Grenades in Student Protests After Teenager Loses Hand

The French government announced on Tuesday that it is suspending the use of stun grenades by police during student protests, a decision that follows an incident in which a 15-year-old pupil lost a hand during a confrontation with officers. The move marks a significant shift in tactics after days of escalating demonstrations across the country.

The suspension was confirmed as part of an official government response to growing criticism over the methods used to control crowds at schools and in the streets. The announcement came on the same day that authorities reported more than 6,000 arrests had been made since the start of the protest movement, underscoring the scale of the unrest that has gripped France in recent days.

The injured pupil, identified in earlier reporting as a 15-year-old, was hurt in circumstances that have prompted widespread shock among parents, students and educators. His case has become a focal point for public anger, with images and accounts of the incident circulating rapidly and intensifying calls for accountability.

A police officer has already been charged in connection with firing a tear gas grenade at a high school student, according to separate reports linked to the broader crisis. That charge, reported on Monday, signalled that judicial authorities are moving to examine individual responsibility even as the government reviews its overall approach to protest policing.

The decision to suspend stun grenades was framed by officials as a temporary measure, though it represents a notable concession at a time when the interior ministry has faced mounting pressure. Critics had argued that the weapons, which are designed to disorient rather than kill, can cause life-changing injuries when they strike people at close range or hit vulnerable parts of the body.

Experts have weighed in on the consequences of such tactics. One specialist questioned France's response to the student protests, saying the country is effectively maiming young people. That assessment, reported earlier in the week, added a professional voice to the public outcry and raised questions about whether current rules of engagement are adequate for crowds that include minors.

The protests themselves have drawn students, trade unions and teachers into a mass movement demanding better learning conditions. What began as a focused objection to school policies has broadened into a wider expression of frustration over the state of public education, with demonstrators calling for investment, improved facilities and greater support for both pupils and staff.

In Paris, the demonstrations have been particularly visible. Images from the capital showed students gathering in large numbers, and organisers had prepared for what they called a "Black Tuesday" of protests. The scale of participation suggested that the movement has struck a chord far beyond the immediate demands of any single school or neighbourhood.

The wave of arrests -- more than 6,000 since the demonstrations started -- indicates how intensely police have responded to the unrest. Such a figure is unusual for protests tied to education, and it has fuelled debate over whether the government's approach has been proportionate or has instead deepened the crisis by treating young people as security threats.

The political context has also sharpened. Calls have emerged to block social media platforms for minors in France amid the school protests, a proposal that reflects concern about how quickly demonstrations have been organised and how images of confrontations have spread online. The idea has been controversial, with critics warning that restricting access could be both impractical and an overreach.

Parents and students have been left in shock, particularly in the aftermath of the injury to the 15-year-old. His loss of a hand has become a symbol of the risks that young people face when they take part in demonstrations, and it has forced families to confront the possibility that peaceful protest can end in permanent harm.

The government's suspension of stun grenades is unlikely to end the broader dispute. Demonstrations have continued despite the measure, and union leaders have indicated that their demands go well beyond policing tactics. The core issues -- funding for schools, conditions for learning, and the relationship between the state and its young citizens -- remain unresolved.

For now, the suspension buys time for officials to reassess how protests should be managed. But it also raises difficult questions about what happens next if demonstrations persist. If the government reinstates the use of stun grenades, it risks reigniting outrage; if it does not, police may argue they lack the tools to maintain order in volatile situations.

The coming days will test whether the concession can calm tensions or whether it is seen as too little, too late. With thousands already arrested and a teenager permanently injured, the stakes are high for France's leadership, for its security forces and for a generation of students who have taken to the streets to demand that their voices be heard.