Symbolic imageMauritius closes schools and imposes curfew after unrest over police shooting
Protests over a police shooting that wounded a woman have shaken Mauritius. Bloomberg calls it the worst unrest in the tourist destination since 1999.
Protesters burned tyres and blocked roads on Monday, 12 October, after a police officer shot and wounded Elodie Thomas as she was returning home from work in a residential area south of the capital. Local media report that a criminal investigation has been opened against the police sergeant, without saying what led to the incident. Health Minister Anil Bachoo said Thomas had undergone successful surgery. Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam announced a curfew for Port Louis and other larger population centres, running from 20:30 on Tuesday until 06:00 on Wednesday. Reuters and Bloomberg report that schools were temporarily closed, and Bloomberg adds that workers were urged to stay home. Ramgoolam's cabinet is due to meet on Wednesday afternoon to reassess the situation.