French government spokeswoman Prisca Thevenot announced the decision after a cabinet meeting in Paris earlier today. It follows days of unrest in the South Pacific territory and what Thevenot described as “scenes of chaos”, with four people now confirmed dead, including a security officer. The emergency measures give authorities increased powers to quell the unrest, including the ability to place under house arrest people deemed a threat to public order in the territory, where pro-independence supporters have long campaigned to break free from France. “The priority is to restore order, calm and serenity,” the French government spokeswoman said. The state of emergency will come into force in New Caledonia from 5am local time today (7pm in Lisbon). More than 300 people have been injured since Monday, when protests against a French-proposed constitutional amendment that would change electoral rolls and reduce the influence of indigenous people turned violent. According to French authorities, more than 130 people have been arrested. Tensions have simmered for decades in the archipelago between the indigenous Kanak people, who want independence, and descendants of settlers who want to remain part of France. Police reinforcements have been sent to the territory to help local security forces, who have clashed with violent protesters. The interior ministry said another 500 officers were expected to arrive in the archipelago within hours, joining 1,800 police and gendarmes already there. This week’s unrest began as the French parliament in Paris debated changing the French constitution to modify the electoral rolls in New Caledonia. Today, the National Assembly approved a bill that, among other changes, would allow people who have lived in New Caledonia for 10 years to vote in provincial elections. Opponents say the move will benefit pro-French politicians in New Caledonia and further marginalise the indigenous Kanak people, who have historically faced entrenched segregation and discrimination. The vast archipelago of some 270,000 people lies east of Australia and is 10 hours ahead of Paris. In the capital, French President Emmanuel Macron today stressed the need for political dialogue, and rival local political parties issued a joint appeal for calm in New Caledonia, saying in a statement: “We must continue to live together.” An overnight curfew in New Caledonia has been extended until Thursday, and schools and the main airport remained closed today, the French government’s representative in the territory, High Commissioner Louis Le Franc, said, adding that some residents in the capital and surrounding districts had formed “self-defence groups” to protect their homes and businesses. New Caledonia became a French colony in 1853, under Emperor Napoleon III, the nephew and heir of Napoleon. It became an overseas territory after World War II, and all Kanaks were granted French citizenship in 1957. In 1988, a peace accord was signed between rival factions. A decade later, France promised to give New Caledonia greater autonomy and political power, and to hold up to three referendums on full sovereignty. Three referendums were held between 2018 and 2021, and in each one a majority of voters opted to remain part of France, rather than become independent. The pro-independence Kanak people rejected the results of the last referendum in 2021, which they boycotted because it was held at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. Read Also: Police officer dies in French New Caledonia. There are already 4 victims of the revolt (Portuguese version)