France deploys 70,000 police officers ahead of nationwide protests — Pajhwok

KABUL (Pajhwok): France has deployed 70,000 police officers and gendarmes ahead of nationwide demonstrations on Saturday amid growing public anger over living costs, public services and government policies, Reuters reported. The demonstrations, coinciding with Halloween, come two weeks after riots and looting caused extensive damage to shops, public buildings and businesses in several French cities. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez described Saturday as a high-risk day for public order and warned that security forces would respond firmly to any violence. Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Nunez said several radical groups had called on social media for violent gatherings, particularly in the evening after the main demonstrations had ended. He also warned that some protesters might use Halloween masks to conceal their identities, raising further security concerns. The Interior Ministry said 410,000 people took part in demonstrations across France the previous Saturday, when authorities also deployed 70,000 security personnel. The operation helped prevent a repeat of the widespread looting and vandalism reported on October 17. Meanwhile, labour leaders and student groups have called for further demonstrations, saying public frustration over wages, living costs and public services is spreading beyond the student movement that initially mobilised last month. They have also called for a nationwide strike on November 5 to press their demands. The government faces growing pressure to address the protesters’ grievances…