San Juan, Puerto Rico, Sep 18 (AP) At least six police officers were injured by gunfire overnight in the French Caribbean island of Martinique during violent protests over the high cost of living, officials said Tuesday.

Two unidentified suspects were arrested, according to a statement from Martinique's government.

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Gunfire erupted late Monday and early Tuesday as cars burned and police launched tear gas to repel demonstrators participating in small protests that began in recent weeks.

France Télévisions reported that at least one civilian also was injured by gunfire and was hospitalised.

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Government officials said several stores also were looted, and called for calm.

Martinique has seen similar protests in recent years, many of them fuelled by anger over what demonstrators say is economic, social, and racial inequality. (AP)

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)