Jharkhand Government Bans Popular Front of India (PFI) For Spreading Anarchy in The State
The action has been taken following a proposal of the Home Department/ police on which the Law Department has also given its consent.
Ranchi, February 22: The Jharkhand government has banned the Popular Front of India (PFI) – a notorious organisation that was believed to be influenced by the Islamic State. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Anant Ojha says, "I want to congratulate the Chief Minister for acting against such elements which spread anarchy." As per reports, the National Investigation Agency has submitted a detailed report about its activities to the Union Home Ministry while proposing a ban.
According to an official release by the Jharkhand government, the action has been taken following a proposal of the Home Department/ police on which the Law Department has also given its consent. The release further informed that the organisation has been most active in Pakur district. "Popular Front of India started in Kerala. The members of this organisation are internally influenced by the ISIS. An inquiry by Special Branch has revealed that some members of this organisation have gone secretly to Syria from the South Indian states and (are) working for ISIS," the release added.
Formed as as a successor to National Development Front (NDF) in 2006, the Popular Front of India (PFI) is an extremist and militant Islamic fundamentalist organisation in India. It acquired a multi-state dimension by merging with the National Development Front, Manitha Neethi Pasarai, Karnataka Forum for Dignity and other organisations. The PFI is portrayed as a neo-social movement committed to empower people to ensure justice, freedom and security. The organisation has various wings to cater to different section of society, including the National Women's Front and the Campus Front of India.
To recall, the PFI in July 2017, accused Pakur SP Shailendra Prasad Barnwal and two other police officers of custodial torture of some members of the minority community and also filed a complaint before the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate. All this took place after a BJP leader, Hisabi Rai, was booked for allegedly inciting “gau rakshaks” for violence. Barnwal could not be reached for his comment.
In the past, the PFI has in the past taken out processions in favour of Mumbai-based absconding Islamic preacher Zakir Naik on several occasions. Earlier the Intelligence Bureau had said that the PFI is violent in nature as their one point agenda is to attack the Right Wing. As per reports, the organisation preach to their cadres that attack those who oppose Islam.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 22, 2018 11:03 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).