PFI conspiracy case: The National Investigation Agency is conducting raids in up to 56 locations across Kerala in connection with a case involving funding for the now-banned Popular Front of India (PFI). Yesterday, raids were conducted throughout the state.
The case involves a criminal conspiracy hatched by the Popular Front of India’s office bearers, members, and cadres (PFI).
According to the charges, they were attempting to raise and collect funds from within and outside India in order to commit or attempt to commit acts of terror in various parts of India. Raids are being conducted in the districts of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam, Alappuzha, and Malappuram, among others.
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After being barred by the union home ministry, PFI allegedly attempted to raise funds through another international terrorist organisation. The investigating agencies claim that an attempt is being made to re-establish PFI under a different name.
Current raids are targeting PFI members as well as some PFI overground workers. That means they are not officially affiliated with that organization but are working for PFI. According to investigators, Kerala has the most active PFI members in the country who have continued their activities.
National Investigation Agency (NIA) raids underway at 56 locations in Kerala in the Popular Front of India (PFI) case. Visuals from Ernakulam. https://t.co/6IQEZkI2Kf pic.twitter.com/re5qi37qoL
— ANI (@ANI) December 29, 2022
Under the strict anti-terror law Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the union government banned PFI for five years in September 2020. (UAPA). PFI was accused of being an Islamic organisation with “links” to global terror organisations such as the Islamic State.
The organisation was also accused of attempting to incite communal hatred in the country. The ban went into effect following a nationwide crackdown on the outfit earlier this year.
In NIA’s ‘largest ever’ raid, As many as 170 activists of the Popular Front of India were arrested. In Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, four PFI leaders i.e. PFI chairman OMA Salam, Kerala state chief CP Mohammed Basheer, national secy VP Nazarudheen & national council member Prof P Koya were taken into custody by NIA.
According to reports, The ED is looking into the PFI’s alleged “financial links” to the country’s anti-Citizenship (Amendment) Act protests, the 2020 Delhi riots, an alleged conspiracy in Hathras (a district in Uttar Pradesh) over the alleged gang-rape and death of a Dalit woman, and a few other cases.
Popular Front of India is a militant and extremist Muslim organization that describes itself on Facebook as a group dedicated to achieving equal rights, justice, freedom, and security for all Indians.
