French PM tells union to stop protests in Paris

Paris, June 15: French Prime Minister Manuel Valls on Wednesday urged the CGT union to halt demonstrations against labour reform in Paris after violent clashes. “I ask the CGT not to organise this type of demonstration in Paris,” Xinhua quoted Valls as saying. “We must bear our responsibilities. We can no longer have this disgraceful show with things getting out of control,” he said. On Tuesday between 700 and 800 protesters clashed with riot police. Shortly after the start of the Paris rally, hooded youth threw projectiles at security forces who responded by firing tear gas. Troublemakers torched three cars and defaced hospitals and banks in Paris. According to the Paris prefecture, 58 were arrested after the clashes which left 41 people injured, among them 29 policemen. In recent weeks, anti-labour reform demonstrations have turned violent in many cities. Police unions said more than 350 officers had been injured since the tionwide rallies against labour reform began in March. A total of 1,300 people were arrested with 819 placed in custody and 51 convicted on charges of violent acts, according to the interior ministry. In response to the French Sete examining how to loosen labour law to spark recruitment and reduce unemployment, the CGT union called for fresh demonstrations on June 23 and 28. (IANS)