Camp-Levieux Shooting: Minister Gokhool Urges Calm After Incident

Former minister and prominent political figure Dharam Gokhool has appealed for calm and restraint in the wake of a shooting incident at Camp-Levieux, a locality in the east of Mauritius, that has shocked the country and sparked widespread public outrage. The incident involves Élodie Thomas, a woman who was shot — reportedly by a police officer — in circumstances that have yet to be fully clarified by authorities. The bullet remains lodged in her neck, and four specialist surgeons were flown in from India to assist with her treatment, underscoring the severity of her injuries. Gokhool's call for calm comes amid growing public anger over the case, with citizens, civil society groups, and politicians demanding answers over how a member of the police force came to shoot a civilian. A police constable has since been arrested in connection with the incident. **Why is this case generating such strong reaction?** The Camp-Levieux shooting has touched a deep nerve in Mauritius. The sight of a young woman left with a bullet in her neck — allegedly fired by someone sworn to protect the public — has prompted an outpouring of concern and demands for accountability. Opposition figures, lawyers, and civil society organisations have all weighed in, with lawyer Sanjeev Valayden publicly calling for a drug test to be conducted on the arrested officer. The case has also drawn a response from the highest levels of government. Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth publicly condemned the shooting, while the organisation ReA (Resistans ek Alternativ, a Mauritian political and civil rights movement) has called for a parallel independent inquiry, arguing that an internal police investigation cannot be trusted to be impartial. **What happens next?** The arrested police constable is expected to face formal charges. Separately, pressure is mounting on the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) and other oversight bodies to ensure full transparency in the investigation. Élodie Thomas remains under medical care, with her husband stating publicly that the bullet has not yet been removed from her neck. **What this means** This case raises serious questions about police conduct and accountability in Mauritius. Calls for an independent inquiry reflect a broader public concern that internal police investigations may not deliver justice. The involvement of senior politicians and civil society figures suggests the case will remain a major issue in the coming weeks — both in terms of criminal proceedings and the wider debate about oversight of law enforcement on the island. Source: Le Defi Media