France has declared a state of emergency in New Caledonia, a Pacific territory, following violent riots sparked by the French parliament's backing of voting reforms earlier this week. Amid the unrest, which claimed four lives including that of a police officer who was shot, the French government has dispatched an additional 500 members of the French national police and Gendarmerie to quell the violence.
The state of emergency, lasting 12 days, grants authorities enhanced powers to control the situation, including the ability to ban gatherings and restrict movement. This marks the first time since 1985, during a previous crisis in New Caledonia, that France has imposed such measures on one of its overseas territories.
Rioters have engaged in acts of arson, targeting vehicles, businesses, and looting stores, necessitating the reinforcement of police presence, with the additional personnel joining the 1,800 already stationed in the territory.
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