New Delhi: Pulitzer-winning photojournalist, Sanna Irshad Mattoo said on Tuesday that she was stopped from flying abroad. She was stopped at the Delhi Airport for the second time this year. She was earlier stopped in July as well.
Informing about the incident the Kashmiri photojournalist wrote a post on Twitter. She wrote, “I was on my way to receive the Pulitzer award in New York but I was stopped at immigration at Delhi airport and barred from traveling internationally despite holding a valid US visa and ticket.”
She further wrote, “This is the second time I have been stopped without reason or cause. Despite reaching out to several officials after what happened few months ago but I never received ay response. Being able to attend the award ceremony was a once in a lifetime opportunity for me.”
This is the second time I have been stopped without reason or cause. Despite reaching out to several officials after what happened few months ago but I never received ay response.
Being able to attend the award ceremony was a once in a lifetime opportunity for me.— Sanna Irshad Mattoo (@mattoosanna) October 18, 2022
Government targeting journalists?
The immigration authorities did not laid down any specific reasons for stopping her from traveling abroad. She was only told that she could not travel due to ‘restrictions’.
The officials of the Jammu and Kashmir administration told PTI that Mattoo was placed on a no-fly list. However, they did not gave any explanation for doing so.
This is being seen as case of targeting journalists that unveil critical stories about the Narendra Modi-led central government.
Sanna was also stopped in July earlier
Sana had also posted another tweet earlier. She wrote, “I was scheduled to travel from Delhi to Paris today for a book launch and photography exhibition as one of 10 award winners of the Serendipity Arles grant 2020. Despite procuring a French visa, I was stopped at the immigration desk at Delhi airport.”
I was not give any reason but told I would not be able to travel internationally. (2/2)
— Sanna Irshad Mattoo (@mattoosanna) July 2, 2022
