SRINAGAR: Indian police in held Kashmir have arrested seven university students under tough anti-terrorism laws for alleged intimidation after they celebrated Australia`s victory over India in the Cricket World Cup final.

Police said on Tuesday that the students were arrested following `antiIndia sloganeering and intimidation of others who did not agree with them` after the match.

Hosts India were favourites to capture the one-day cricket crown in the November 19 final but lost to Australia.

Police said the students at an agriculture university were arrested last week after a complaint filed by another student, who came from outside the territory.

`They started abusing me and targeting me for being supporter of my country and also threatened me to shut up otherwise I would be shooted (sic),` the police case file seen by AFP notes, quoting the complainant.

Police charged the seven students under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), a stringent anti-terrorism law, as well as other sections of the penal code.

The arrests were criticised by Mehbooba Mufti, Kashmir`s former CM.

`Why is there so much fear, restlessness and paranoia only because some students celebrated Australia`s victory?` Mufti told reporters on Tuesday.

`You... want to destroy their lives for cheering the team of their choice and for expressing happiness when that team plays well. I condemn it,` she said.

India has used the vaguely worded UAPA legislation against thousands of Kashmiri residents, journalists and dissidents, according to activists.

It allows people to be held for six months without being charged, and bail is virtually impossible.-AFP