After 2 rounds of raids, arrests of over 100 members, axe falls on Popular Front of India | Top points
India Today
The Centre has declared the Popular Front of India (PFI) and its associates, affiliates, or fronts as unlawful associations with immediate effect for a period of five years. The move follows the massive countrywide raid on PFI leaders by central agencies over terror links.
A day after raids and a slew of arrests, the Popular Front of India (PFI) and its affiliate organisations have been declared "unlawful" with immediate effect. The ban on the radical outfit and its associated fronts has been imposed for a period of five years. The action comes after two rounds of nationwide raids and arrests of over 100 PFI leaders and functionaries over terror links.
PFI and its affiliate organisations have been declared unlawful associations with immediate effect under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
"There had been instances of international linkages of PFI with global terrorist groups like Islamic State of Iraq and Syria," the Ministry of Home Affairs said in a statement announcing the ban.
1) The MHA said that associate fronts such as Rehab India Foundation and Campus Front of India have a "hub and spoke" relationship, with the PFI acting as the hub and utilising the mass outreach and fund-raising capabilities of its associates to enhance their capacity to carry out unlawful activities. The MHA, in a notification, called such fronts "roots and capillaries," which strengthen PFI.
2) The notification also 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 in the country.
3) The Centre said that some of the activists of the PFI had joined Islamic State of Iraq and Syria and participated in terror activities in Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Some of these PFI cadres linked to IS have been killed in these conflict theaters, and some have been arrested by state police and central agencies. Also, PFI has linkages with Jamat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), a proscribed terrorist organisation, the MHA said in its notification.
