NIA raids 56 places in Kerala linked to PFI leaders, members

Thiruvananthapuram,UPDATED: Dec 29, 2022 08:03 IST

NIA raids are underway at 56 places across Kerala. (File photo)

By Shibimol KG, Jitender Bhargava: Officials from the National Investigation Agency are conducting raids at as many as 56 locations across Kerala in connection with a case related to funding for the now-banned Popular Front of India (PFI). Raids took place across the state yesterday too.

The case pertains to the criminal conspiracy hatched by the office bearers, members and cadres of the Popular Front of India (PFI).

The case alleges that they were trying to raise and collect funds from within India and abroad for committing, or trying to commit acts of terror in various parts of India. Raids are going on in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam, Alappuzha and Malappuram districts, among others.

After being banned by the union home ministry, PFI was allegedly in touch with another international terrorist organization through which it was trying to raise funds. According to the investigating agencies, an attempt is being made to re-establish PFI under a different name.

The current raids are against those who are PFI members as well as some PFI overground workers. That means they are not officially involved in that organization but are busy doing work for PFI. According to investigative agency sources, Kerala has the most active members of PFI in the country who continued their activities.

The union government, in September 2020, banned PFI for five years under the stringent anti-terror law Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). PFI was accused of being an Islamic outfit with 'links' to global terror groups such as IS.

The organisation was further accused of trying to spread communal hatred in the country. The ban came into force after a nationwide crackdown on the outfit earlier.