the incidents of 25 January 2026 at Palmar Public Beach, he will, for the benefit of the House, obtain from…
(No. B/149) Mr A. Duval (Fourth Member for Port-Louis North & Montagne Longue) asked the Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, Home Affairs and External Communications, Minister of Finance, Minister for Rodrigues and Outer Islands whether, in regard to the incidents of 25 January 2026 at Palmar Public Beach, he will, for the benefit of the House, obtain from the Commissioner of Police, information as to – (a) when was the request for police intervention received, indicating what followed; (b) the reported number of persons present and allegedly contravening public order and noise pollution legislation, indicating the number thereof arrested and provisionally charged; (c) why reinforcement was not mobilised, and (d) the measures being contemplated to enhance law enforcement and maintenance of public order on public beaches.
Madam Speaker, with regard to part (a) of the question, I am informed by the Commissioner of Police that on Sunday 25 January 2026 at about 15:50 hours, an anonymous call was received at the Trou d’Eau Douce Police Station requesting Police intervention at Palmar Public Beach, where loud music was being played from several vehicles parked thereat, thereby causing a nuisance. A team from the Trou d’Eau Douce Police Station proceeded to Palmar Public Beach at around 16:00 hours. Upon arrival, Police Officers noticed several vehicles parked at the site, including one white car with its boot opened and playing very loud music. Whilst the Police Officers were making enquiries regarding the owner of the said vehicle, several persons who were nearby and consuming alcoholic beverages became hostile and attempted to obstruct the officers in the execution of their duties. At around 17:00 hours, the Police Officers accordingly sought reinforcement and teams from the Emergency Response Service, the Police du Tourisme and the Divisional Support Unit called to the location at around 18:15 hours to assist the officers. With regard to parts (b) and (c) of the question, when Police Officers were attempting to establish contraventions, a crowd of around 250 persons gathered and some uttered abusive words towards the Police and threw empty beer bottles as well as sand towards them and the Police vehicles. One Police vehicle was slightly damaged. In these circumstances, the Police Officers adopted a measured approach with a view to avoiding direct confrontation with the hostile crowd, which was around 250, as I said. No arrests could be effected at that time. The Police Officers withdrew from the immediate vicinity while maintaining a Police presence from a distance. The crowd actually dispersed at around 20:30 hours, following which, the Police Officers also left the spot. Following subsequent enquiries conducted on 26 and 27 January 2026, twelve persons were arrested in connection with the incident. Out of these, eight were provisionally charged for the offence of “Rebellion” and one for “Rogue and Vagabond”, whilst three persons were released after enquiry. Four persons were also contravened for playing loud music. I have requested the Commissioner of Police to complete the enquiry at the earliest. As regards part (d) of the question, I wish to inform the House that the Police is now deploying a contingent of the Special Mobile Force together with the Divisional Support Unit, Emergency Response Service and Police du Tourisme as well as Police de l’Environnement every Sunday from 12:00 hours to 20:00 hours at the main public beaches. Madam Speaker, as I mentioned last week, we are also looking into the possibility of increasing the fine. Even though it is rather high, we think it should be increased. And as I mentioned last week in my reply, I think PQ B/78, we will not tolerate that Police Officers are sworn at and distracted while performing their police duties. People must respect the uniform of that Police Officer who is doing a public duty. The law will be strengthened and be made more severe.
Thank you, hon. Prime Minister. Yes!
Madam Speaker, the first question, if you will allow, is firstly why was it deemed appropriate to allow those persons, who, according to the hon. Prime Minister, himself, were consuming alcohol, were violent, had been rebelling against Police Officers so much so that they were impuissants.
Please put your question!
The question being: why was it deemed appropriate to let these persons simply go on that night? Why was the SMF and the SSU not mobilised there and then, when it was obvious that the ratio of Police Officers to violent individuals was very much off?
As I explained, Madam Speaker, the Police wanted to avoid a direct confrontation with about 250 persons. By the time the SMF would come, they decided, on the spot, that it is better not to have this confrontation now, but they will get these people through the various systems that they have. And they did.
So, they are wise after the event?
Yes.
Of course!
May I ask?
Yes. No statements!
Yes. May I ask the hon. Prime Minister: is he aware that apparently – and maybe he can confirm –, there have been further incidents there at Palmar since this incident? Is he aware of same?
I am not aware of any further incident, Madam Speaker.
The last question, Madam Speaker. Thank you.
Yes!
Madam Speaker, I have been repeating it time and time again…
No, no! Question! Question!
…for specialised units. I am glad to hear that it will now be done. My plea, however, to the hon. Prime Minister is that 20:00 hours is too early.
Put a question!
Will the hon. Prime Minister consider, therefore, extending the time that the SMF and other specialised unit will be on duty at main public beaches to over 20:00 hours? In fact, I would ask him to at least 12 p.m.
12 p.m.? Okay. 12 p.m.
I will pass on this suggestion to the Commissioner of Police.
Okay, next question! Hon. Third Member for Grand Baie and Poudre d'Or! PORT LOUIS HARBOUR – NEW MASTER PLAN – IMPLEMENTATION STATUS