GIPM Elite Unit Patrols Petite-Rivière to Cascavelle After Night of Unrest
Armed GIPM officers in armoured vehicles swept the Royal Road between Petite-Rivière and Cascavelle after clashes and burning tyres blocked the route.
In the early hours of Wednesday 15 October, an ION News team accompanied a unit of the GIPM — the Groupe d'Intervention de la Police Mauricienne, Mauritius's elite police rapid-response force — on a patrol through the western corridor stretching from Petite-Rivière through Bambous to Cascavelle.
The patrol took place between 1:50 a.m. and 3:10 a.m., hours after serious unrest had gripped the area. Before midnight on Tuesday 14 October, clashes broke out between police and protesters along the Royal Road — the main coastal artery running through that stretch of the island's west. Officers found the road strewn with debris and burning tyres at multiple points between Petite-Rivière and Cascavelle.
The GIPM team deployed in a 4x4 vehicle and an armoured carrier. Their mission was to clear large obstacles from the road, re-establish a visible security presence, and prevent protesters from returning to cause further disruption.
One GIPM officer told ION News that the unit had already been on duty since the previous day. He said it was likely they would be called back to work again on Wednesday afternoon for another 24-hour shift. Despite the gruelling hours, the officer said the entire team remained motivated and committed to restoring order and peace across the country.
The western district — covering Bambous, Petite-Rivière, and Cascavelle — has been one of the flashpoints during the wider unrest that has accompanied Mauritius's nationwide curfew. The area is home to the Rivière-Noire District Court in Bambous, which was also affected by the unrest in recent days.
What this means: The deployment of GIPM units in armoured vehicles to residential and commercial corridors like the Royal Road signals the scale of the government's response to the ongoing unrest. The GIPM is typically reserved for high-risk operations, and its sustained presence overnight in the west of the island reflects how seriously authorities are treating the situation. Residents in Petite-Rivière, Bambous, and Cascavelle faced a disrupted night, and road conditions along that stretch of the Royal Road were significantly affected by the debris and fires left behind.
Source: ION News
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the GIPM in Mauritius?−
The GIPM — Groupe d'Intervention de la Police Mauricienne — is Mauritius's elite police rapid-response unit, trained for high-risk operations including riot control, armed interventions, and securing sensitive areas. It operates under the Mauritius Police Force and is deployed in situations requiring a higher level of force or tactical capability than standard units.
What is the Royal Road in Mauritius?−
The Royal Road (Route Royale) is the historic main road that runs along much of the Mauritian coastline, connecting towns and villages across the island. The section between Petite-Rivière and Cascavelle runs through the western district and is a key route for commuters and residents in that part of the island.
Which areas of Mauritius were affected by unrest during the October 2025 curfew?−
Multiple parts of the island saw clashes, road blockages, and property damage during the curfew period. The western corridor — including Petite-Rivière, Bambous, and Cascavelle — was among the most affected, alongside other locations such as La Louise, where two individuals were arrested after a petrol station was ransacked.
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