Dalton Elijah
JF-Expert Member
- Jul 19, 2022
- 957
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The unrest broke out Monday evening, Oct. 12, following the shooting of Elodie Thomas, who sustained a gunshot wound to the neck in Camp-Levieux on Oct. 9 while returning home from work.
Protesters burned tires, barricaded roads, vandalised property and looted a supermarket. A police station in Rose Hill was also set ablaze, while a Pizza Inn outlet in Beau Bassin sustained damage.
The violence spread to several localities, including Sainte-Croix, Cité Mangalkhan, Bambous, Petite-Rivière, Barkly and Grand-Gaube, amid wider public frustration over water supply difficulties.
Police said security forces had brought the situation in Sainte-Croix under control following a deployment involving the Special Security Unit, Special Mobile Force and Special Intervention Group of the Mauritian Police.
Three people were arrested, while one police officer sustained minor injuries during the disturbances.
In response to the unrest, the government ordered the closure of all preschools, primary and secondary schools, and nurseries Tuesday. Higher education institutions shifted to online learning, while national and international examinations scheduled for Oct. 13 were postponed.
Metro Express services were also disrupted after damage to railway tracks prevented normal operations pending a comprehensive technical inspection.Police said Tuesday morning that roads were passable, while banks and the Mauritius Stock Exchange were operating normally.
Meanwhile, Thomas remains in critical condition after undergoing surgery at Dr. A.G. Jeetoo Hospital in Port Louis.A team of 13 Indian medical specialists arrived in Mauritius to assist local doctors in treating her.
In a statement, the Prime Minister’s Office confirmed that surgeons had successfully removed the bullet lodged in her neck.“The surgery was successful and the bullet was removed,” the statement saidThe projectile was secured by the Scene of Crime Office for transfer to the Forensic Science Laboratory as part of the investigation.
Police Sgt. Gautam Singh Taukoor, who is facing legal proceedings in connection with the shooting, appeared in court and was remanded in custody until Oct. 19.The Director of Public Prosecutions recommended new provisional charges against him, revising the initial charge involving the use of a firearm to intimidate and causing unintentional bodily harm.
Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam condemned the shooting and appealed for calm, assuring the public that investigations were underway to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
“What happened in Camp-Levieux is unacceptable. No one is above the law,” Ramgoolam said in an Oct. 11 statement.He said he had instructed authorities to expedite investigations and determine responsibility, while urging police officers to exercise restraint in maintaining public order.
“The truth must be established, and justice must take its course. This is what we owe Élodie, her family, and everyone awaiting answers,” he said.
Ramgoolam also appealed to citizens to refrain from further violence, warning that public anger should not lead to additional tragedies.
The prime minister convened an emergency meeting Oct. 11 to discuss the situation.
Protesters burned tires, barricaded roads, vandalised property and looted a supermarket. A police station in Rose Hill was also set ablaze, while a Pizza Inn outlet in Beau Bassin sustained damage.
The violence spread to several localities, including Sainte-Croix, Cité Mangalkhan, Bambous, Petite-Rivière, Barkly and Grand-Gaube, amid wider public frustration over water supply difficulties.
Police said security forces had brought the situation in Sainte-Croix under control following a deployment involving the Special Security Unit, Special Mobile Force and Special Intervention Group of the Mauritian Police.
Three people were arrested, while one police officer sustained minor injuries during the disturbances.
In response to the unrest, the government ordered the closure of all preschools, primary and secondary schools, and nurseries Tuesday. Higher education institutions shifted to online learning, while national and international examinations scheduled for Oct. 13 were postponed.
Metro Express services were also disrupted after damage to railway tracks prevented normal operations pending a comprehensive technical inspection.Police said Tuesday morning that roads were passable, while banks and the Mauritius Stock Exchange were operating normally.
Meanwhile, Thomas remains in critical condition after undergoing surgery at Dr. A.G. Jeetoo Hospital in Port Louis.A team of 13 Indian medical specialists arrived in Mauritius to assist local doctors in treating her.
In a statement, the Prime Minister’s Office confirmed that surgeons had successfully removed the bullet lodged in her neck.“The surgery was successful and the bullet was removed,” the statement saidThe projectile was secured by the Scene of Crime Office for transfer to the Forensic Science Laboratory as part of the investigation.
Police Sgt. Gautam Singh Taukoor, who is facing legal proceedings in connection with the shooting, appeared in court and was remanded in custody until Oct. 19.The Director of Public Prosecutions recommended new provisional charges against him, revising the initial charge involving the use of a firearm to intimidate and causing unintentional bodily harm.
Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam condemned the shooting and appealed for calm, assuring the public that investigations were underway to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
“What happened in Camp-Levieux is unacceptable. No one is above the law,” Ramgoolam said in an Oct. 11 statement.He said he had instructed authorities to expedite investigations and determine responsibility, while urging police officers to exercise restraint in maintaining public order.
“The truth must be established, and justice must take its course. This is what we owe Élodie, her family, and everyone awaiting answers,” he said.
Ramgoolam also appealed to citizens to refrain from further violence, warning that public anger should not lead to additional tragedies.
The prime minister convened an emergency meeting Oct. 11 to discuss the situation.
