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Violent protests in New Caledonia over voting register reform

Violent protests on France's Pacific Ocean territory of New Caledonia broke out over draft legislation, currently debated in the French parliament, that would allow people who have settled in the archipelago since ten years or more to be included on the voting register, and which the pro-independence movement says will weaken the political strength of the indigenous Kanak people. 

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Violent protests have erupted over proposed voting reforms in the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia, reports BBC News.

Cars have been torched, shops looted and shots have been fired at police, authorities said.

A curfew has been imposed in the capital Nouméa and the international airport closed, while police reinforcements have been called in.

French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal has called for "calm", saying "violence is never and can never be justified".

Peaceful protests over voting reforms turned violent on Monday night, ahead of a vote in the French National Assembly on Tuesday.

The draft law would change New Caledonia's voting rules to allow French residents who have lived in the territory for 10 years to vote in provincial elections - a move local leaders fear will dilute the vote of the indigenous Kanak population.

Rioters are said to have taken over several roundabouts, attacked police stations and confronted police, who responded with non-lethal rounds.

Read more of this report from BBC News.