Molotov Cocktails and 'The Burning Paradise' WhatsApp Group Spark Police Alert

Mauritius police have raised the alarm over serious public security threats following a wave of unrest across the island, with a confidential internal document dated 14 October — issued by the Office of the Commissioner of Police — outlining specific incidents and potential flashpoints.

According to the document, a resident of Mare-La-Chaux, a locality in the east of Mauritius, allegedly distributed Molotov cocktails and balaclavas to several residents of Flacq on the afternoon of 13 October. Flacq is a major town in the eastern district of the same name. The suspect has not yet been apprehended and is being actively sought by police.

Ebène Cybercity, Mauritius's flagship business and technology hub located in the central district of Quatre Bornes, has also been flagged as a high-risk area. Police intelligence indicates that individuals from a neighbourhood in Beau-Bassin — a town in the west of the island — have been voicing frustration over the lack of employment opportunities at Ebène Cybercity and have reportedly threatened to carry out violent acts there.

Authorities are also closely monitoring a WhatsApp group operating under the name "The Burning Paradise," which is suspected of inciting violence and spreading provocative messages among its members.

The internal police report reportedly includes a list of potential targets at risk of vandalism or destruction, as well as the names of alleged ringleaders and agitators. The relevant police departments have been instructed to act on this information immediately.

The alerts come amid days of riots and civil unrest in several parts of Mauritius, which have seen fires, looting, and clashes between residents and law enforcement. Authorities have already made multiple arrests in connection with the disturbances.

What this means: The police document signals that unrest in Mauritius is not limited to spontaneous street violence — there are now organised elements, including the alleged pre-distribution of weapons and coordinated online mobilisation, that authorities are treating as a serious escalation. The targeting of Ebène Cybercity, which employs thousands of Mauritians in the finance, IT, and business process outsourcing sectors, suggests that economic grievances are driving some of the anger. Residents, businesses, and workers in flagged areas should remain vigilant and report suspicious activity to police.

Source: ION News