French police, migrants clash outside Calais refugee camp

French police resorted to the use of tear gas shells and water cannon to control a crowd of migrants and activists at a banned rally in Calais on Saturday. 

Hundreds of demonstrations clashed with the police in front of the "Jungle" camp, protesting against poor living conditions.  

Three police officers received minor injuries from the stones hurled at them by the migrants, in the worst confrontation since February when operations began to dismantle the southern part of the camp. 

Etienne Desplanques, an official of the Pas-de-Calais region said ,"200 people, mainly from the No Borders group and migrants gathered in front of the CRS (riot police)" 

'Jungle camp'

Migrants from all over the world have been converging in Calais wanting to make their way to Britain. 

About 7,000 and 10,000 migrants are currently residing in the camp, which will be taken apart by the end of this year to distribute migrants across the country.

Critics have argued that this is not France's problem but Britain's. However, the British government said migrants need to appeal for asylum under European Union law in the country where they first arrive. 

A migrant living in the Calais Jungle told Reuters, "Open the (UK) border, let them through. That's' the political solution. In France, there is no political solution and we denounce that."

(WION with inputs from agencies)