Authorities in Mauritius introduced a night-time curfew after demonstrations over water scarcity and rising living costs escalated into the island’s most serious unrest in decades.
The rallies began peacefully about a week ago. Violence flared Friday after a police officer shot and injured a woman at a checkpoint. The circumstances remain unclear.
The officer has been detained and faces legal proceedings.
Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam announced the restriction on Tuesday, warning that people responsible for the disorder would face severe penalties.
Demonstrators set fire to tyres, obstructed roads and damaged police stations and public facilities.
Schools and public transport shut down as the unrest spread.
Several foreign embassies advised their citizens to exercise caution.
Police reported further disturbances and arrests during the curfew, but said by Wednesday morning that traffic was moving across the island and residents could return to their usual routines.
The government initially responded to water shortages by increasing household supplies, said Zoë McCathie, an analyst with South Africa-based Signal Risk.
Speaking to the BBC’s Newsday, she described the scale of the upheaval as unusual and said comparable protests had not occurred since about 1999.
McCathie said officials had contained the worst violence, though further demonstrations remained possible.
Water shortages may continue until the rains arrive in December.
The cabinet was scheduled to meet Wednesday afternoon to review conditions and consider its response.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong