Centre Bans Popular Front Of India For 5 Years, Cites “Terror Links”

New Delhi:

After two rounds of nationwide raids and arrest of over 240 leaders and functionaries of Popular Front Of India (PFI) in a week, the centre last evening banned the outfit for five years over alleged terror activities. 

A government notification said the PFI and its affiliate organisations or fronts have been declared “unlawful association” with immediate effect under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

The government cited the outfit’s linkages with Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), Jamat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) and Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

PFI has often been accused of promoting radical Islam and recruiting for terror outfits. Three states – Karnataka, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh – had earlier recommended a ban on the organisation. 

The notification said that PFI and its associates or affiliates have been indulging in unlawful activities, which are “prejudicial to the integrity, sovereignty and security of the country”, and that they have the potential to disturb public peace and communal harmony. 

“PFI and its associates or affiliates or fronts operate openly as a socio-economic, educational and political organisation but, they have been pursuing a secret agenda to radicalise a particular section of the society, the government notification said.

Premises linked to PFI members across 15 states were first raided on September 22, in a coordinated move by National Investigating Agency (NIA), Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the state police, leading to over 100 arrests.

The second round of nationwide crackdown on the organisation was carried out yesterday. A total of 247 arrests have been made so far, officials said.