Police in Indian-controlled Kashmir arrest French journalist while shooting documentary on pellet victims

SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- Police in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir arrested a freelance French journalist while shooting documentary on pellet victims, officials said Monday.

Comiti Paul Edward was arrested in Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

"On Sunday French journalist, Comiti Paul Edward was arrested from Pratap Park, while he was working on a documentary on the pellet victims," a police official said. "Edward was found to have violated visa norms and booked under Passport Act."

Edward was previously associated with TF1, a French TV channel.

"The journalist has been booked under section 14 (B) Passport Act and he is currently lodged at Police Station Kothibagh," the official said. "His passport and travel documents have been seized and French embassy has been informed about his arrest."

Police officials said Edward arrived in Kashmir on a business visa around 10 days ago and have been recording interviews with separatists and pellet victims.

According to police, he was filming documentary without permission from the authorities.

Last year the government forces used pellet guns extensively to control protesting crowds, following which they came under sharp criticism from human rights groups.

There was a growing demand to ban the weapon for its lethality.

Scores of people, especially young men, were wounded and some blinded after being hit by pellets fired by Indian paramilitary.

Anti-India sentiment runs deep in the psyche of majority of Kashmiris. Irate residents took to roads and clash with police. The youth throw stones and brickbats on contingents of police and paramilitary, who respond by firing tear smoke shells, pellets and bullets, which often proves fatal.

A separatist movement and guerrilla war challenging New Delhi's rule is going on in Indian-controlled Kashmir since 1989. Enditem