Martinique authorities ban protests following deadly riots over rising prices

Authorities in the French Caribbean island of Martinique on Thursday said they planned to ban protests and impose a new curfew after fresh riots overnight over rising prices. At least one person was killed and 26 officers were wounded. Violent protests over high prices for food have rocked the island in recent weeks, with tensions reigniting Monday after a brief lull.

Authorities in the French Caribbean island of Martinique on Thursday plan to ban protests and declare a new curfew after fresh riots over spiralling prices saw one person killed by gunshot, 26 officers injured and stores looted, a source in the administration told AFP.

In recent weeks the island of 350,000 people has been shaken by violent protests over high food prices. After ebbing for some days, tensions erupted again on Monday.

During a fresh night of troubles from Wednesday to Thursday, protesters looted shops, erected burning barricades and clashed with police.

The local prefecture said one man died of his wounds after being shot, but that police did not open fire during the night.

The wounded man was discovered by police responding to reports of looting at a shopping centre in the town of Robert. The victim was declared dead in hospital and a probe was launched, the prefecture said.

According to a source close to the case, the person was allegedly the victim of a settling of scores between rioters.

During the latest violence, at least three stores and several car parks were set ablaze overnight. (yahoo!news)