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Journalism of Courage
Hands chained, Qari Saleem Ahmad walks to the telephone booth, guided by two policemen. His lips quiver as he clumsily lifts his right hand, looking for the receiver.
8216;8216;Ami, aslamwalekum. Main bol raha hoon. Kya haal hain? Sab theek hain Mother, it8217;s me. How are you? Is everything alright?8217;8217; he whispers into the phone. 8216;8216;Main theek hoon. Sab log ghar mein kaise hain? Inshallah sab theek hoga. Jaldi mulaqat hogi I am alright. How is everyone at home? God willing, we will meet soon,8217;8217; he says, fighting back tears.
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 8216;8216;deadly8217;8217;. 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. 8216;8216;I am visually handicapped and my left hand is completely paralysed. How can I manufacture mines or be an active militant?8217;8217; 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.
