Lawfare, Detention – Journalists

An American journalist, who was visiting villages affected by the alleged pollution by Sterlite Copper Smelting factory in Tamil Nadu’s Tuticorin, was taken away from his hotel and questioned for several hours by the police before being let off on Sunday. Mark Scialla’s Twitter handle describes him as an independent journalist covering environmental conflict and social issues.

“We just asked him who all he had met and if there was any violation in his visa conditions. We will soon take a call on further action,” Superintendent of Police Murali Rambha told NDTV. Collector Sandeep Nanduri also told reporters they are collecting information on who he interviewed, filmed and photographed. “We have not filed any FIR. We will take legal action if there is any visa violation. If he has come here for a specific purpose, he should have applied for proper visa,” Mr Nanduri said.