French riot police keep a "secret weapon" capable of neutralizing yellow jackets even if they wear masks, but will resort to it if they feel things are getting out of control, local media reported.
The French magazine Marianne quoted police sources as saying that the secret weapon was spraying a liquid that the demonstrators would not be able to get rid of and would stop their march.
The reports come after traditional tear gas and machine guns failed to stop thousands of demonstrators who caused chaos in the French capital.
The armored vehicles were equipped with "brutal" weapons during the riots on the second day of anger, but the officers received orders to use them only as a last resort, the sources said.
Each water cannon can spray liquid on an area the size of several football fields, according to the source who added: "Fortunately we have not reached this limit."
He confirmed that the gendarmerie in Paris equipped its armored vehicles with secret weapons to be used in the event that things went out of control, without disclosing the nature of the liquid or its specifications.
On Monday evening, French President Emmanuel Macaron announced in a speech addressed to the French people "a series of measures aimed at enhancing the purchasing power of the French in an attempt to resolve the crisis, which resulted from protests" yellow jackets. "
McCron promised a series of measures to boost purchasing power and raise the minimum wage to 100 euros from 2019, with no additional cost to employers, abolishing taxes on overtime from 2019 and abolishing tax increases on pensions for those who earn less than Two thousand euros per month.
McCron acknowledged his responsibility to "stir up anger among the protesters," but said "violence and riots can not be justified," adding that his country "is living in an economic and social emergency."
McCron's speech came weeks after violent protests in France, following the government's intention to increase the tax on fuel.
The "yellow jackets" movement, Tuesday, in its first response to French President Emmanuel MacRoon's speech on economic reform was considered unconvincing.
The group said it would continue its protests in Paris and other cities to meet its demands, which include a list of 40 requests previously sent to the local media.
