A Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist from Indian-controlled Kashmir says Indian authorities have barred him from traveling abroad. The immigration authorities could not present any valid reason for this. Khabar Al-Jazeera. Sanna Irshad Mattoo told Al Jazeera that he was scheduled to leave New Delhi for Paris on Saturday to unwrap a book and exhibit photographs. He is one of the 10 recipients of the Serendipity Ale Grant 2020 Award.

Mattu, a Srinagar resident, received the Pulitzer along with three other Reuters employees. This recognition is given for the pictures taken by them during the Kovid-19 epidemic in India. “I had a flight on Saturday afternoon,” said the 26-year-old. I was put aside during immigration. I was told to wait three hours. I repeatedly asked the officials why. By then, the scheduled flight had left me. ‘

Sana Mattu said he was later told he could not go abroad. However, they did not give any explanation in this regard. “It’s nothing but madness,” the photojournalist told Al Jazeera. One of the officials told me to get the reason from the Kashmir authorities. Because the instruction came from there. I don’t understand why I was stopped. ‘

Mattu spoke to Al Jazeera by telephone from the New Delhi airport. “I am just disappointed,” he said. I have been waiting for this opportunity for a long time. ‘