William Molinié, edited by Alexandre Dalifard / Photo credit: EMMANUEL DUNAND / AFP 6:14 a.m., February 1, 2024
On Wednesday, 79 farmers were arrested and taken into police custody after entering the Rungis market. The police therefore applied the instructions of the Minister of the Interior Gérald Darmanin who defined three red lines not to be crossed. But, concretely, what is the strategy adopted by the authorities?
There is no question of letting farmers enter Paris, Rungis or the airports. These are the three red lines defined by the Minister of the Interior, Gérald Darmanin. But concretely, how do the authorities intend to enforce these rules?
Keeping farmers at bay
Place Beauvau wants to avoid direct confrontation at all costs. The objective is to remotely supervise the progress of the convoys using water-throwing devices which will be deployed. According to information from Europe 1, law enforcement strategists preferred to gradually replace the CRS at the gates of Paris with mobile gendarmes, more accepted by the farmers' movement.
>> READ ALSO -
INFO EUROPE 1 - Blockages of farmers: age, department... The profile of farmers placed in police custody
The objective of the police is to save time by discussing the blocking points with them to reduce tension and identify the ringleaders. The strategy is therefore to keep them at bay. At the same time, more armored vehicles are deployed. The very recent Centaurs of the gendarmerie will take position at the access points to the capital.
“We do not want to use force,” swears those around the Minister of the Interior. “Everything must be done so that we don’t have to do it, it’s in everyone’s interest,” continues a government advisor. Very worried about the next few hours, which could be a tipping point for this movement.