Law’s blind

Qari Saleem Ahmad, who hails from Muzaffarabad in Uttar Pradesh, is not only visually challenged but his left arm is also paralysed. His medical report says he was born blind like his two siblings back home. And Ahmad has been detained by the police for the last five years for alleged involvement in militant activities.

The J-K Police have charged Ahmad with fabricating mines and other explosives and say he was actively involved in militant activities between 1998 and 1999 in Budgam area till his arrest in 1999.

According to police records, Ahmad was arrested along with Moulvi Hafiz Akram of Kupwara in Soibug area of Budgam. Police, say official sources, recovered a silencer and a weapon (airgun) from their possession, which the Forensic Science Laboratory said were not ‘‘deadly’’. Subsequently, a case was lodged in the district court.

Besides, two militancy cases have been registered against Ahmad by the Assam government. Every month, he and Akram are brought to Budgam from Assam to appear in court.

Ahmad, however, pleads innocence. ‘‘I am visually handicapped and my left hand is completely paralysed. How can I manufacture mines or be an active militant?’’ he says.

Ahmad was flown to Budgam, escorted by Assam Police five days ago, to appear before the Budgam district and sessions judge in connection with a militancy-related case.

On Wednesday, the court permitted him to talk to his mother over the phone in Urdu in the presence of policemen.