INDIA: The Popular Front of India (PFI), along with its associates, fronts, and affiliates, has been outlawed for five years with immediate effect by the Central government. This action came amid the declaration of “unlawful association” of PFI under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
In the recent past, nationwide raids and arrests have been made and over 240 members of the Popular Front of India (PFI) have come under the radar, which sparked controversy.
The Home Minister ordered an immediate cutdown on this organization because, “With funds and ideological support from outside, it has become a major threat to the internal security of the country. Several criminal activities and brutal murders have been committed by PFI members over the past to create a reign of terror in the public mind.”
As per the government, “citing the outfit’s links with the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), Jamat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) and Islamic State or ISIS, the PFI is involved in several criminal and terror cases.”
Meanwhile, BJP National General Secretary Arun Singh said, “Terrorist incidents (by PFI) occurred in many states, disintegrating the nation and spreading violence. So, we welcome this step of the Central Govt in declaring PFI & its associates unlawful for 5 years.”
On the other hand, Union Minister Ajay Mishra Teni said, “We have got suspicious info against PFI. Raids were conducted based on the inputs we received. Some people were arrested too. The raids are underway; searches will happen as per the info we will receive further. “
Most of that, the raids are conducted at residential and official premises of PFI officials for “funding terrorism, organizing training camps and radicalizing people to join proscribed organizations”, which is primarily at locations like Bengaluru, Delhi and Assam, which witnessed the maximum number of detentions.
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