Examination of witnesses on February 29

KOCHI: The examination of witnesses in the Kashmir recruitment case, which is the second case coming up before the Ernakulam NIA Court after the Kozhikode twin blasts case, will begin on February 29. NIA special public prosecutor K N Ravindran has handed over the list of 20 witnesses to the court.  The court will examine Abdul Khadar alias Abu Usthad on the first day. The court had earlier framed charges against suspected Lashkar-e-Toiba South India commander Thadiyantavide Nazir and 17 other accused in the case.  The 18 accused who are facing the first phase trial were produced before the court on Wednesday. An accused Badaruddin of Elamakkara, Kochi, submitted a petition seeking two days’ parole to visit his house. The court adjourned the petition and sought the view of the NIA.  According to the NIA, the 24 accused in the case had entered into a criminal conspiracy in 2008 in Kannur and other places with an intention to promote terrorism in the country. The accused also tried to impart training to the recruited persons in arms and ammunition to wage war against the Government of India to liberate Kashmir from India and disturb the peace and tranquillity in the country. The case is related to the enrolment of several youths from Kerala for anti-national activities. Later, Fayas, Fayis, Abdul Rahim and Muhammed Yasin (Accused 7 to 10) were killed in an encounter with the Indian security forces