By Necva Tastan Sevinc
ISTANBUL (AA) - A curfew in the French overseas territory of New Caledonia, which came into effect in May following violent riots, was officially lifted, officials announced Monday.
The curfew had been progressively eased over the past several months but had remained in place from midnight to 5 am local time, the French High Commissioner’s Office in the capital Noumea said in a statement.
The decision to lift the curfew came after an improvement in the security situation across the Pacific island territory, which saw widespread unrest earlier this year.
According to the statement, public order has been largely restored despite ongoing disturbances in certain sensitive areas.
"Today, despite incidents that persist in some neighborhoods, public order has been restored, and a return to normal life is underway," the statement said.
Alongside the curfew’s removal, restrictions on the carrying and transport of firearms without a legitimate reason have also been lifted.
However, limits on ammunition sales remain in place, with a cap of 50 rounds per month for licensed hunters in the archipelago, home to around 270,000 people.
Alcohol regulations have also been relaxed. Sale of takeaway alcohol are now allowed, but quantity limits are still in effect until Dec. 20.
Public consumption of alcohol remains banned, and gatherings, parades, and processions continue to be prohibited in and around the capital.
The overseas French territory has seen massive riots since May 13 due to proposed electoral reform – later scrapped – to allow long-term French residents to take part in local elections.
Thirteen people died due to the violent unrest, prompting the declaration of a state of emergency and the deployment of the French army.
Material damages from the riots have been estimated at over €2.2 billion ($2.31 billion).
The controversial bill to review electoral rules would have allowed French nationals who have lived on the island for at least 10 years to vote in local elections.
However, local residents, particularly the indigenous Kanak population, feared the changes would dilute their voting power.