French Socialist government leaders and Green deputies are at odds after the death of a protester during clashes with paramilitary police at the site of a controversial dam project in south-west France.

Rémi Fraisse, a 21-year-old student, died instantly on Saturday night after being hit in the back by a grenade, according to the results of an autopsy. However, the conclusions of further analyses, which should indicate whether the weapon was fired by gendarmes or by protesters, are not expected until later on Tuesday.