T Nazir: A terrorist beyond measure

KOCHI: Here is an example of fear among the jailers in handling terror case convicts. Seven months after Thadiyantavide Nazir’s arrest, the jail authorities in Kerala could not carry out his detailed physical examination.In August 2011, when Nazir, suspected LeT South Indian commander,  was convicted, the jail officials were not able to take his body measurements. He resisted the attempt saying that it was against his belief.He was first brought to Kannur jail after the NIA court in Kochi sentenced him to  life imprisonment in the Kozhikode twin blast case. “In special cases, we have been ordered to conduct the medical examination and take the convict’s body measurements for registering the identity of the person. Nazeer was non-cooperative about taking the body measurements. Until now, we could not register his correct body measurements. We have now managed it with the photographs taken while in Kannur jail,” said  police sources.In ordinary cases, within two days of admission, medical examination, checking the body weight, height and width of the person along with the chest expansion are done.Kannur central prison Superintendent  S Sivadasan said that  Nazir had always created trouble in the jail. “We are not sure whether his body measures were taken. As it is a fixed  procedure, we cannot fail to do it. But he was arrogant and jailers were afraid of him,” Sivadasan said.Meanwhile, Prisons ADGP Alexander Jacob said that Nazir resisted  the body examination.  “We conduct the detailed body examination of the persons who are convicted in special cases. Nazir resisted taking the measurements but we could manage to get some primary details,” he said.