Union Calédonienne Secretary General Dominique Fochi (middle) and Rassemblement Démocratique Océanien Aloisio Sako (right) speaking at a press conference on Thursday. Photo: LNC
Parties within the pro-independence FLNKS (Kanak and Socialist Nationalist Liberation Front) have on Thursday denounced what they term "assassinations" and "barbaric methods" following the death of two indigenous Kanaks as a result of a clash with French gendarmes.
But public prosecutor Yves Dupas swiftly denied the claim.
During a news conference held on Thursday after the deadly clash, the FLNKS political bureau condemned a "disproportionate use of force" which, they say, "can only worsen the situation on the ground and push back the prospect of a peaceful solution" to the unrest that erupted in New Caledonia on 13 May.
In a simultaneous release, signed by Rassemblement Démocratique Océanien (RDO) and FLNKS major component Union Calédonienne (UC), the parties expressed "profound indignation and sadness".
Union Calédonienne's Dominique Fochi told the media conference: "We have received reports saying one of the two youths found was covered with bruises and was naked".
He added the French State was waging a "genocide against the Kanak people".
They also claim that one of the dead was the result of a "summary execution".
However, Dupas, who also issued a release on Thursday, denied the claim.
The fatalities occurred as French security forces led an operation on Wednesday evening, searching for several individuals who were wanted for previously alleged criminal actions.
This also follows several days of negotiation between French security forces, including also Saint Louis leaders and chiefs.
"There was mediation work underway; a little more time was needed to de-escalate pressure," Fochi told journalists.
Earlier this week, Saint Louis Great Chief, a Union Calédonienne prominent figure and former Congress member, Roch Wamytan, confirmed negotiations were taking place to convince those wanted (armed) persons to surrender. But that they had failed.
"It was complicated to ask them to stop now," he told local public broadcaster NC la 1ère.
After the events of Thursday, the pro-independence leaders are demanding an "impartial and independent" enquiry.
Dupas also released more information on initial findings regarding the death of people who were wanted for criminal actions, including "attempted murder".
He said the facts took place as part of attempts to act upon an arrest warrant, issued for several individuals taking shelter at Saint Louis.
He said the gendarmes were targeted by sniper gunshots from "three to five masked armed individuals" and that they had fired back in a state of "legitimate defence".
Dupas said gendarmes later seized at least three weapons and ammunition after the shooters, some wounded, had fled.
Two enquiries: one on the gendarmes, one on the civilians
He also announced that two separate cases were now under investigation: one for murder attempts against an officer entrusted with public authority, the other targeting the gendarmes.
The second one will be conducted by the gendarmerie's internal services investigation cell, with possible charges of unintentional death.
As part of the second inquiry, an autopsy (post-mortem) has been ordered on the body of the two Kanak victims.
Speaking on public television NC la 1ère, French High Commissioner Louis Le Franc said gendarmes had received instruction to fire back if directly targeted.
He said the weapons used by the civilians during those clashes were of very high calibre, typically for hunting, and that some of the guns were semi-automatic and equipped with silencers.
Death toll at 13
This brings the death toll since riots began in New Caledonia to 13, including two gendarmes and 11 civilians.
The two latest fatalities were aged 29 and 30 respectively.
The confrontation began on Wednesday night, when police attempted to enter the troubled village, often referred to as a pro-independence stronghold.
After police initially used teargas, there were exchanges of gunfire and GIGN 'gendarmeries special intervention group (SWAT) returned fire.
Police said they intended to arrest and question a number of individuals wanted and suspected of being implicated in criminal acts, since New Caledonia's riots began.
Police claim that since May, they have been targeted by over 300 gunshots from the village.
Whole area cordoned off for weeks
Security forces have been maintaining a cordon along the main provincial road with two "deadlocks" preventing motorists driving along that road, which is still considered as dangerous.
An estimated number of around 50 "car-jacks" have taken place on that portion over the past four months.
The deadlock also effectively prevents over 12,000 residents of the neighbouring town of Mont-Dore from travelling to Nouméa for professional purposes. Instead, they now use sea ferries to reach downtown Nouméa.
They have been persistently demanding authorities to urgently solve the Saint Louis situation on a priority basis.
In the same village of Saint Louis, in July, a pro-independence militant, Roch Wamytan also known as "banane" (a namesake of pro-independence leader Roch Wamytan), was shot dead during a confrontation with French security forces.
The militants had then taken control of the Catholic mission in Saint Louis, which was later evacuated, and eventually went up as a result of arson.
French authorities in New Caledonia recently announced stricter curfew hours for the period of 21 to 24 September, a precautionary measure ahead of 24 September, which is the anniversary of France "taking possession" of New Caledonia in 1853.
One of the pro-independence parties, the Union Calédonienne, also recently said it intended to use the date to "unilaterally" declare independence.
Reinforcements (made available after the end of the Paris 2024 Olympics and its heavy security contingent) have been sent from mainland France.
Le Franc said earlier this week the total number of gendarmes, police and military personnel in New Caledonia had now reached an unprecedented 7000 officers.
