French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin says he is launching a probe into clashes that broke out late on Monday as police cleared out a refugee camp in Paris’ Place de la Republique, adding that images of the scuffles were “shocking”.

People posted photos and videos online of police hitting demonstrators as officers forcibly removed refugees from tents. Activists and refugee rights advocates who went to the square to help the refugees were also pushed back, among them Paris councilwoman Danielle Simonet from the left-wing La France insoumise party.

“Some of the images of the dispersion of the illegal migrant camp at Place de la Republique are shocking,” Darmanin tweeted, in the early hours of Tuesday.

An internal police investigation into allegations of misconduct by police during the camp clearance has been opened; conclusions are expected to be published within 48 hours.

Police said the camp was set up without official permission.

Aid groups were on Tuesday attempting to find temporary shelter for a few hundred refugees and migrants forcibly removed from the short-lived camp.