Terror cousins face trial, Indians tense in UK

ON TENTERHOOKS: Indian doctors are worried if their image among the locals will be affected due to the terror link.

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London: Two Indian doctors from Bangalore face trial and possible jail sentences over the failed terror attacks in London and Glasgow.

On Saturday, Mohammed Haneef was charged in Australia with providing “reckless support” to the perpetrators, and soon after in the UK, his distant cousin, Dr Sabeel Ahmed was charged with withholding information that could have prevented an act of terror.

The charges may not be of direct involvement but they are serious. Dr Sabeel Ahmed will appear before the city of Westminster magistrate's court on Monday.

Meanwhile, the third Indian and Sabeel's brother, Kafeel Ahmed, is in a critical condition after he suffered third degree burns when he set himself on fire following an attempt to ram a Jeep into Glasgow's Airport.

Sources in the Indian High Commission in the UK say they are waiting for the British government's response on queries about consular access to the accused.

When the Indian connection in this probe first emerged a couple of weeks ago, the initial reaction of the community in UK was one of shock. However, most feel that it’s unfair to target a nationality.

“There is no nationality and no point dragging nationality in this matter. It can only bring negative impact,” a Birmingham resident Honey TR says.

While another resident Karam Takhar says “It’s not an Indian thing, it's a global thing and we need to tackle this on a global basis.”

Meanwhile, Indian doctors are worried if their image among the locals will be affected in the long term after revelations of the terror link.

“Majority of the people are law abiding. Hopefully those who are getting brainwashed or misguided will be guided,” General Medical Council’s Dr Shiv Pande says.

However, due to the Indian terror link to the failed bombings in UK, thousands of doctors’ fate hangs in balance as the British government is planning to review National Health Service recruitment policies.

(With inputs from Rajesh Divakaran in Birmingham)