France deploys 70,000 police for protests after tightening curbs

France will deploy approximately 70,000 police and security personnel on Saturday in anticipation of fresh protests, following violent clashes, looting, and arson during demonstrations last week. The government has tightened security restrictions in several cities amid fears of further unrest. The protests originated with high school students concerned about learning conditions but have expanded nationwide, fueled by public anger over the rising cost of living. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez cited social media calls for violence, and the deployment marks a 20 percent increase from last weekend. Authorities have restricted gatherings in Paris, Lyon, and Orleans, where far-right leader Marine Le Pen holds a party congress, and several Paris museums, including the Louvre, will remain closed. Courts have sentenced 217 people to prison for last week's violence, with about half being first-time offenders. Rights groups have criticized the security measures, and India issued an advisory urging its nationals to avoid demonstrations. The unrest occurs six months before France's presidential election, with a poll showing Le Pen potentially leading the first round.