New Caledonia has imposed a curfew and banned gatherings in the capital, Nouméa, after a day of protests around the French territory against planned changes to the constitution turned violent, with reports of widespread looting and businesses set on fire. A “great deal of damage” was done to businesses including car dealerships, shops, pharmacies and security cameras in Nouméa and numerous police officers were injured in the violence, the French high commission in New Caledonia said in a statement on Tuesday. Thirty-six people were arrested. “The high commissioner condemns in the strongest possible terms these acts of violence, which constitute serious attacks on people and property,” the commission said. The protests, which have been simmering for weeks, were organised by the pro-independence field action coordination committee (CGAT), in response to plans by France to expand voter eligibility in local elections to include French nationals who have lived on the island for more than 10 years. The move, which is due to come up for further debate in the French parliament on Tuesday, is strongly opposed by leaders of the indigenous Kanak population, who see it as a bid to further minimise their influence. Major car dealers and factories were among the businesses set on fire on Monday, Les Nouvelles Calédoniennes website reported. It said major roads going into Nouméa were also blocked by fires and the sound of gunshots could be heard. One fire was still raging in the Magenta area of the capital on Tuesday morning, the website reported. Several supermarkets in Nouméa were looted as well as in the neighbouring towns of Dumbéa and Mont-Dore, the France.info website reported. Some main roads were also still being blocked by protesters early Tuesday and the high commissioner called on residents to remain at home. The curfew is to be imposed from 6pm until 6am on Wednesday. The high commission also banned the carrying and sale of arms as well as the sale of alcohol for two days on Monday. Most flights had been cancelled to and from Nouméa’s international airport on Tuesday. New Zealand’s foreign minister, Winston Peters, said he had cancelled a trip to the territory planned for later this week due to the unrest, according to the broadcaster RNZ.