Several thousand riot Police were overwhelmed as they fought running battles with protesters in the shadows of some of Paris' fabled landmarks and through its fanciest shopping districts. rance is facing its worst civil unrest in 50 years. More than 400 people have been arrested in Paris alone, besides 133 people, including 23 security personnel, being injured so far. In the past few days, masked rioters have torched cars, buildings and even a police headquarter, looted shops and clashed with police. On the other hand, security forces have fired stun grenades, tear gas shells and water cannon at protesters. Reports of violence and loot have also been reported from other cities. News agency Reuters reported that on Saturday, masked, black-clad groups ran amok across central Paris, torching cars and buildings, looting shops, smashing windows and fighting police. This is the worst unrest that Paris has seen since 1968.

The protest, now called as the 'Yellow Vest Protest', comes 18 months into President Emmanuel Macron's presidency. It has been named so because the participants are wearing fluorescent safety jackets that are kept in all cars in France. The protesters, "gilets jaunes" (yellow vests), reportedly have no real structure or leadership.

The ongoing protest started in response to Macron's new policy of fuel tax hike. However, as the protest strengthened and spread, people came out in the open to express their dissatisfaction with Macron's economic policies, which many voters feel are in favour of the wealthy and big businesses.

The ongoing unrest erupted on November 17. Since then, the protest has spread quickly via social media. Reuters reported that in many places, protesters have been blocking roads and impeding access to shopping malls, factories and some fuel depots.

While Paris has seen some ugly scenes in the past few days with police arresting over 400 people, the protest is not limited to the national capital. Unrest also erupted in several towns and cities across France, from Charleville Mezieres in the northeast to Marseille in the south. In the Riviera city of Nice trucks blocked access to the airport, and in the central town of Puy-en-Velay the police headquarters was set on fire, Reuters said in a report.

According to news reports, the protest is a spontaneous one. However, the government has urged the Yellow Vest movement to disassociate itself from the radical groups that allegedly instigated the violence. It said the protesters should come to the negotiating table. Authorities said violent groups from the far right and far left, as well as "thugs" from the suburbs had infiltrated the yellow vests movement in Paris on Saturday, though Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said most of those arrested were regular protesters who had been egged on by fringe groups.