Kerala: NIA Raids 56 Locations Linked To PFI Leaders

Thiruvanthapuram: National Investigation Agency agents are conducting raids at as many as 56 locations around Kerala (PFI) in connection with a case involving money for the now-banned Popular Front of India. The state was the scene of raids yesterday as well.

The case relates to the criminal plot that the leadership, cadre, and members of the Popular Front of India (PFI) concocted.

According to the lawsuit, they were attempting to raise money both domestically and internationally in order to carry out or attempt to carry out terrorist activities across India. Raids are being conducted, among others, in the districts of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam, Alappuzha, and Malappuram.

PFI allegedly kept in touch with another global terrorist group after the union home ministry outlawed it, using that connection to attempt to gather money. The investigating agencies claim that there are efforts underway to re-establish PFI under a different name.

PFI members and some PFI overground workers are the targets of the recent raids. That indicates that although they are actively working for PFI, they are not formally affiliated with that group. The most active PFI members in the nation are still operating in Kerala, as per reports.

PFI was banned for five years by the union government in September 2020 as a result of the strict anti-terror statute Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). PFI was alleged to be an Islamic organisation with “connections” to international terrorist organisations like IS.

The organisation was also charged with attempting to incite racial animosity throughout the nation. After an earlier nationwide crackdown on the organisation, the prohibition became effective.