Indian Rare Earths Limited, Manavalakurichi

The French journalists were helped by two local journalists and Manakudy parish priest. Indian Rare Earths Limited falls under the administrative control of Department of Atomic Energy

New Delhi: Two French investigative journalists have been booked by Kanyakumari police for illegally trespassing into a prohibited zone belonging to Indian Rare Earths Limited, which comes under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE). According to media reports, the journalists escaped the country once the local police started looking into the case.

The French nationals also recorded videos of IREL and nearby local villages. They have been booked under IPC section 447 (punishment for criminal trespass), 14(A) (penalty for entry in restricted areas), 14(B) (penalty for using forged passport) and 14(C) (penalty for abetment) of the Foreigners Act 1946.

The journalists were reportedly campaigning in Kanyakumari with the help of local journalists and a Pastor.

According to a report by ToI, the French journalists arrived in the national capital on November 11 after which they travelled to Kanyakumari. Once they reached Manavalakurichi on November 26, they were helped by local journalists Anandkumar, Sriram and Manakudy parish priest Father Hildas. While Anandkumar works as a freelancer for a Tamil satellite television channel, Sriram is a cameraman with another Tamil news channel.

The French duo reportedly shot videos and clicked photographs in the restricted area where even cell phones are not permitted.

The local police arrived at the spot once they were alerted by IRE personnel after which everyone fled from the area. As per the media inputs, Anandkumar allegedly helped the French journalists escape to Thiruvananthapuram airport. From there they took a flight to another domestic airport and left for France. The cops are currently investigating the case and all three locals have been detained for further questioning.