Tag: PFI

  • Special court grants custody of 11 PFI activists to NIA till September 30 

    By PTI

    KOCHI: A special court here on Saturday granted the National Investigation Agency the custody of 11 Popular Front of India (PFI) activists, who were arrested on September 22. The NIA special court granted the custody till September 30.

    The accused, who were taken to the court, raised slogans against the probe agency.

    However, a lawyer representing some of the accused said the court asked them to avoid sloganeering as it was ready to hear them.

    The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has raised serious allegations against the PFI and its arrested leaders, and claimed that the seized documents during the raids contain highly incriminating materials targeting prominent leaders of a particular community.

    In a remand report submitted before the court seeking custody of 10 accused in a case registered here, the agency also alleged that the radical Islamist outfit encouraged youths to join terrorist groups, including Lashkar-e-Taiba, Islamic State (IS) and Al-Qaida.

    In near simultaneous raids across the country, a multi-agency operation spearheaded by the NIA on September 22 led to the arrest of 106 activists of the Popular Front of India in 11 states for allegedly supporting terror activities in the country, officials had said.

    The maximum number of arrests were made in Kerala (22) followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka (20 each), Tamil Nadu (10), Assam (9), Uttar Pradesh (8), Andhra Pradesh (5), Madhya Pradesh (4), Puducherry and Delhi (3 each) and Rajasthan (2).

    KOCHI: A special court here on Saturday granted the National Investigation Agency the custody of 11 Popular Front of India (PFI) activists, who were arrested on September 22. The NIA special court granted the custody till September 30.

    The accused, who were taken to the court, raised slogans against the probe agency.

    However, a lawyer representing some of the accused said the court asked them to avoid sloganeering as it was ready to hear them.

    The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has raised serious allegations against the PFI and its arrested leaders, and claimed that the seized documents during the raids contain highly incriminating materials targeting prominent leaders of a particular community.

    In a remand report submitted before the court seeking custody of 10 accused in a case registered here, the agency also alleged that the radical Islamist outfit encouraged youths to join terrorist groups, including Lashkar-e-Taiba, Islamic State (IS) and Al-Qaida.

    In near simultaneous raids across the country, a multi-agency operation spearheaded by the NIA on September 22 led to the arrest of 106 activists of the Popular Front of India in 11 states for allegedly supporting terror activities in the country, officials had said.

    The maximum number of arrests were made in Kerala (22) followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka (20 each), Tamil Nadu (10), Assam (9), Uttar Pradesh (8), Andhra Pradesh (5), Madhya Pradesh (4), Puducherry and Delhi (3 each) and Rajasthan (2).

  • PFI spreads ‘disaffection’ against India: NIA report

    The report, which was submitted on September 22, also claims that the outfit had conspired to establish Islamic rule in India by committing terrorist acts as a part of violent jihad.

  • PFI got ‘concealed’ foreign funds through members based abroad: ED 

    The federal agency on Thursday arrested four members of the Popular Front of India (PFI) during the raids, led by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

  • Nationwide crackdown on PFI, 106 arrested 

    By Express News Service

    CHENNAI/NEW DELHI/BENGALURU/VIJAYAWADA/KOCHI: In one of their biggest joint operations against terror funding and terror activities, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday arrested 106 activists of the Popular Front of India (PFI) from 93 locations across 15 states, including Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Telangana, Assam, Andhra Pradesh and Delhi even as top officials met to discuss a likely ban on the organisation.

    During the coordinated nationwide operation, which began at around 3:30 am, PFI Chairman O M A Salam, national general secretary V P Nasarudeen Elamaram and the organisation’s Delhi unit head Parvez Ahmed, among others, were taken into custody. Salam was picked up from his home at Kerala’s Malappuram, after the place was searched. Ahmed’s residence in Delhi’s Jamia Nagar was also raided.

    Raids were also carried out in Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Goa, West Bengal, Bihar and Manipur. The NIA said 45 of the total arrests were made by the agency. Even as the raids and arrests were underway, Union Home Minister Amit Shah met National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla and NIA Director-General Dinkar Gupta to discuss details of the case, the likely fallout and implications.

    “While 19 accused have been arrested from Kerala, 11 have been arrested from Tamil Nadu, 7 from Karnataka, 4 from Andhra Pradesh, 2 from Rajasthan, 1 each from UP and Telangana,” an NIA statement read. Among the arrested leaders in Kerala were PFI’s state president C P Mohammed Basheer, national council member P Koya and senior functionaries Jaseer K P, Shafeer K P, E Abu Backer, E M Abdul Rahiman, Najumudeen, Sainuddeen T S, Yahiya Koya Thangal, K Muhammedali, C T Sulaiman, P K Usman, Karamana Ashraf Moulavi, Sadiq Ahmed, Shihas, Ansari P and M M Mujeeb.

    The 11 PFI functionaries arrested in Tamil Nadu were identified as Syed Ishaaq, Advocate Khalid Mohammed, A M Idris, Mohamed Abuthahir, S Khaja Maideen, Yasar Arafat, Barakathullah, Fayaz Ahamed, M Mohammed Ali Jinnah, Mohammed Yousuf and A S Ismail. 

    In Karnataka, the NIA, with help of local police searched suspects’ locations in Bengaluru and Mangaluru and arrested Anis Ahmed, Afsar Pasha, Abdul Wahid Sait, Yasar Arafath Hasan, Mohammed Shakif alias Shakif, Mohammed Farooq ur Rahman and Shahid Nasir.

    Sources said documents, cash, sharp-edged weapons and large number of digital devices were seized during the raids. The NIA is investigating a total of 19 PFI-related cases, including five registered on Thursday. 

    CHENNAI/NEW DELHI/BENGALURU/VIJAYAWADA/KOCHI: In one of their biggest joint operations against terror funding and terror activities, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday arrested 106 activists of the Popular Front of India (PFI) from 93 locations across 15 states, including Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Telangana, Assam, Andhra Pradesh and Delhi even as top officials met to discuss a likely ban on the organisation.

    During the coordinated nationwide operation, which began at around 3:30 am, PFI Chairman O M A Salam, national general secretary V P Nasarudeen Elamaram and the organisation’s Delhi unit head Parvez Ahmed, among others, were taken into custody. Salam was picked up from his home at Kerala’s Malappuram, after the place was searched. Ahmed’s residence in Delhi’s Jamia Nagar was also raided.

    Raids were also carried out in Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Goa, West Bengal, Bihar and Manipur. The NIA said 45 of the total arrests were made by the agency. Even as the raids and arrests were underway, Union Home Minister Amit Shah met National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla and NIA Director-General Dinkar Gupta to discuss details of the case, the likely fallout and implications.

    “While 19 accused have been arrested from Kerala, 11 have been arrested from Tamil Nadu, 7 from Karnataka, 4 from Andhra Pradesh, 2 from Rajasthan, 1 each from UP and Telangana,” an NIA statement read. Among the arrested leaders in Kerala were PFI’s state president C P Mohammed Basheer, national council member P Koya and senior functionaries Jaseer K P, Shafeer K P, E Abu Backer, E M Abdul Rahiman, Najumudeen, Sainuddeen T S, Yahiya Koya Thangal, K Muhammedali, C T Sulaiman, P K Usman, Karamana Ashraf Moulavi, Sadiq Ahmed, Shihas, Ansari P and M M Mujeeb.

    The 11 PFI functionaries arrested in Tamil Nadu were identified as Syed Ishaaq, Advocate Khalid Mohammed, A M Idris, Mohamed Abuthahir, S Khaja Maideen, Yasar Arafat, Barakathullah, Fayaz Ahamed, M Mohammed Ali Jinnah, Mohammed Yousuf and A S Ismail. 

    In Karnataka, the NIA, with help of local police searched suspects’ locations in Bengaluru and Mangaluru and arrested Anis Ahmed, Afsar Pasha, Abdul Wahid Sait, Yasar Arafath Hasan, Mohammed Shakif alias Shakif, Mohammed Farooq ur Rahman and Shahid Nasir.

    Sources said documents, cash, sharp-edged weapons and large number of digital devices were seized during the raids. The NIA is investigating a total of 19 PFI-related cases, including five registered on Thursday. 

  • EXPLAINER | What is Popular Front Of India

    By PTI

    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In 2006, leaders of three like-minded outfits from Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka sat together and discussed the need for forming a pan-India organisation for empowering the Muslim community from their socio, economic and political backwardness.

    On the basis of the decision arrived at the meeting held at Manjeri in Kerala’s Malappuram district, leaders of the National Development Front (NDF) in Kerala, Manitha Neethi Pasarai in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka Forum for Dignity assembled at Bengaluru few months later and announced the merger of the three outfits, leading to the emergence of the Popular Front of India (PFI).

    Sixteen years later, on Thursday, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) swooped down on PFI activists in 11 states and picked many of them up for their alleged terror-related activities following raids, described by officials as the “largest ever” such exercise.

    The outfit protested the “fascist regime’s move to use agencies to silence dissenting voices.”

    The PFI claims to strive for a neo-social movement ostensibly for the empowerment of marginalised sections of India.

    It is, however, often accused by law enforcement agencies of promoting radical Islam.

    After its birth in 2006, PFI soon expanded its operations in other states in north, west and east and northeastern parts of the country.

    It further spread its wings after the merger of various social organisations with it.

    The PFI now has various allied organisations including its political arm Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), the student wing Campus Front of India, National Women’s Front, an NGO called Rehab India Foundation and a think tank called Empower India Foundation.

    Several analysts have traced the roots of the PFI to the NDF, a radical Islamic outfit which was formed in 1993, in response to the demolition of the Babri Masjid a year ago.

    Founded by former leaders of the banned outfit Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), the activities of the NDF were widely discussed in Kerala following communal riots in Kozhikode district in 2002 and 2003 which saw killings of people belonging to two communities.

    Although the PFI was formed with an objective to work for the socio-economic advancement of Muslims in the country, the outfit soon came under the radar of various state and central agencies for all the wrong reasons, particularly after the 2010 incident of chopping off the hand of a college professor in Kerala for allegedly hurting religious sentiments through a question paper he had set.

    Several activists linked with the PFI were arrested in connection with the 2011 incident that was condemned by all democratic forces in the country.

    Rooted in anti-Sangh Parivar ideology, the outfit was blamed for violence during various protests organised by minority communities in the country against the BJP government at the centre particularly during the agitations against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA).

    The outfit also came under the scrutiny of various agencies in connection with the alleged “Love Jihad” incidents in Kerala, forced conversion of people belonging to other faiths and disappearance of some people from the state to join the Islamic State in Afghanistan and Syria.

    The activists of PFI and its allied organisations were also arrested for the killings of RSS-BJP leaders in Kerala in recent months.

    The fundraising activities of the PFI are also being investigated by central agencies like the ED and Income Tax Department.

    The leaders of PFI allegedly travel to the Middle East nations for raising funds for the activities of the organisation as many of their supporters from South India are working in that region.

    The donations received by the outfit were investigated by the central agencies.

    The Kerala government had banned the freedom parades organised by the PFI on Independence Day every year through the selected areas of the southern state.

    Despite being blamed for all these reasons, the PFI, however, continued its focus on its mission of upliftment of Muslim community through its Empower India Foundation which has come out with a project document for 2047.

    Its leaders have said the idea is to set a vision and prepare a long-term action plan for empowering the country and the Muslim community when India celebrates 100 years of its independence.

    It had organised several national seminars and city get-together programmes in various states as part of the project preparation.

    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In 2006, leaders of three like-minded outfits from Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka sat together and discussed the need for forming a pan-India organisation for empowering the Muslim community from their socio, economic and political backwardness.

    On the basis of the decision arrived at the meeting held at Manjeri in Kerala’s Malappuram district, leaders of the National Development Front (NDF) in Kerala, Manitha Neethi Pasarai in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka Forum for Dignity assembled at Bengaluru few months later and announced the merger of the three outfits, leading to the emergence of the Popular Front of India (PFI).

    Sixteen years later, on Thursday, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) swooped down on PFI activists in 11 states and picked many of them up for their alleged terror-related activities following raids, described by officials as the “largest ever” such exercise.

    The outfit protested the “fascist regime’s move to use agencies to silence dissenting voices.”

    The PFI claims to strive for a neo-social movement ostensibly for the empowerment of marginalised sections of India.

    It is, however, often accused by law enforcement agencies of promoting radical Islam.

    After its birth in 2006, PFI soon expanded its operations in other states in north, west and east and northeastern parts of the country.

    It further spread its wings after the merger of various social organisations with it.

    The PFI now has various allied organisations including its political arm Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), the student wing Campus Front of India, National Women’s Front, an NGO called Rehab India Foundation and a think tank called Empower India Foundation.

    Several analysts have traced the roots of the PFI to the NDF, a radical Islamic outfit which was formed in 1993, in response to the demolition of the Babri Masjid a year ago.

    Founded by former leaders of the banned outfit Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), the activities of the NDF were widely discussed in Kerala following communal riots in Kozhikode district in 2002 and 2003 which saw killings of people belonging to two communities.

    Although the PFI was formed with an objective to work for the socio-economic advancement of Muslims in the country, the outfit soon came under the radar of various state and central agencies for all the wrong reasons, particularly after the 2010 incident of chopping off the hand of a college professor in Kerala for allegedly hurting religious sentiments through a question paper he had set.

    Several activists linked with the PFI were arrested in connection with the 2011 incident that was condemned by all democratic forces in the country.

    Rooted in anti-Sangh Parivar ideology, the outfit was blamed for violence during various protests organised by minority communities in the country against the BJP government at the centre particularly during the agitations against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA).

    The outfit also came under the scrutiny of various agencies in connection with the alleged “Love Jihad” incidents in Kerala, forced conversion of people belonging to other faiths and disappearance of some people from the state to join the Islamic State in Afghanistan and Syria.

    The activists of PFI and its allied organisations were also arrested for the killings of RSS-BJP leaders in Kerala in recent months.

    The fundraising activities of the PFI are also being investigated by central agencies like the ED and Income Tax Department.

    The leaders of PFI allegedly travel to the Middle East nations for raising funds for the activities of the organisation as many of their supporters from South India are working in that region.

    The donations received by the outfit were investigated by the central agencies.

    The Kerala government had banned the freedom parades organised by the PFI on Independence Day every year through the selected areas of the southern state.

    Despite being blamed for all these reasons, the PFI, however, continued its focus on its mission of upliftment of Muslim community through its Empower India Foundation which has come out with a project document for 2047.

    Its leaders have said the idea is to set a vision and prepare a long-term action plan for empowering the country and the Muslim community when India celebrates 100 years of its independence.

    It had organised several national seminars and city get-together programmes in various states as part of the project preparation.

  • NIA raids: Protests erupt around SDPI, PFI offices, several in preventive custody

    By PTI

    BENGALURU/MANGALURU/THIRUVANANTHAPURAM/NEW DELHI: Following the raids by the National Investigation Agency on Thursday at the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) and Popular Front of India (PFI) offices and the residences of the office-bearers, activists have been protesting across the country.

    In Kerala, activists of the PFI staged protests across the state against the recent raids by multi-agencies for allegedly supporting terror activities in the country.

    As the news of the early morning searches broke out, PFI workers took out marches to the places where the raids were carried out and raised slogans against the Centre and its investigating agencies. However, central forces were already deployed in all such places as part of strengthening security.

    ALSO READ | Amit Shah holds meet; discusses action against PFI, terror suspects

    Similarly, in Karnataka, many Muslim youths came near the places where the raid was going on and raised ‘NIA go back’ slogans. They also tried to hinder the ongoing raids. The police thwarted their attempt by taking them into preventive custody. In Bengaluru, the raids were carried out at Sampigehalli, Frazer Town and Richmond Town.

    In Tamil Nadu, at Cumbum in Theni district, a couple of locals who agitated against the apprehension of a PFI office-bearer by the NIA were detained by the police.

    At Karumbukadai in Coimbatore, a protest was held when the officials picked up a functionary. Police detained the protesters.

    Maharashtra raids

    In near-simultaneous raids the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad arrested 20 activists of the PFI indulging in unlawful activities promoting enmity among communities and waging a war against the country, an official said.

    In Maharashtra, raids were conducted by various ATS teams in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane, Aurangabad, Pune, Kolhapur, Beed, Parbhani, Nanded, Malegaon (in Nashik district) and Jalgaon, an official said.

    The ATS teams arrested at least 20 people from various places and seized important documents, he said.

    The ATS has registered four offences in Mumbai, Nashik, Aurangabad and Nanded under various Indian Penal Code Sections including 153-A (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot), 121A (conspiring to commit certain offences against the State) and 120B (criminal conspiracy), and provisions of the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), he said.

    The ATS officials were also making enquiries with some people in connection with these cases, he said.

    ‘Largest-ever’ raids

    A total of 106 PFI members arrested so far in multiple raids across 11 states including Andhra Pradesh (5), Assam (9), Delhi (3), Karnataka (20), Kerala (22), MP (4), Maharashtra (20), Puducherry (3), Rajasthan (2), TN (10) & UP (8).

    The raids, taking place mainly in South India, was termed by the NIA as the “largest ever” investigation process “till date”.

    The NIA said the searches are taking place at the premises of people allegedly involved in terror funding, organising training camps, and radicalising people to join proscribed organisations.

    Details of the arrested activists were not available immediately, but officials said the arrests were done by the NIA, Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the police forces of 11 states so far.

    BENGALURU/MANGALURU/THIRUVANANTHAPURAM/NEW DELHI: Following the raids by the National Investigation Agency on Thursday at the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) and Popular Front of India (PFI) offices and the residences of the office-bearers, activists have been protesting across the country.

    In Kerala, activists of the PFI staged protests across the state against the recent raids by multi-agencies for allegedly supporting terror activities in the country.

    As the news of the early morning searches broke out, PFI workers took out marches to the places where the raids were carried out and raised slogans against the Centre and its investigating agencies. However, central forces were already deployed in all such places as part of strengthening security.

    ALSO READ | Amit Shah holds meet; discusses action against PFI, terror suspects

    Similarly, in Karnataka, many Muslim youths came near the places where the raid was going on and raised ‘NIA go back’ slogans. They also tried to hinder the ongoing raids. The police thwarted their attempt by taking them into preventive custody. In Bengaluru, the raids were carried out at Sampigehalli, Frazer Town and Richmond Town.

    In Tamil Nadu, at Cumbum in Theni district, a couple of locals who agitated against the apprehension of a PFI office-bearer by the NIA were detained by the police.

    At Karumbukadai in Coimbatore, a protest was held when the officials picked up a functionary. Police detained the protesters.

    Maharashtra raids

    In near-simultaneous raids the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad arrested 20 activists of the PFI indulging in unlawful activities promoting enmity among communities and waging a war against the country, an official said.

    In Maharashtra, raids were conducted by various ATS teams in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane, Aurangabad, Pune, Kolhapur, Beed, Parbhani, Nanded, Malegaon (in Nashik district) and Jalgaon, an official said.

    The ATS teams arrested at least 20 people from various places and seized important documents, he said.

    The ATS has registered four offences in Mumbai, Nashik, Aurangabad and Nanded under various Indian Penal Code Sections including 153-A (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot), 121A (conspiring to commit certain offences against the State) and 120B (criminal conspiracy), and provisions of the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), he said.

    The ATS officials were also making enquiries with some people in connection with these cases, he said.

    ‘Largest-ever’ raids

    A total of 106 PFI members arrested so far in multiple raids across 11 states including Andhra Pradesh (5), Assam (9), Delhi (3), Karnataka (20), Kerala (22), MP (4), Maharashtra (20), Puducherry (3), Rajasthan (2), TN (10) & UP (8).

    The raids, taking place mainly in South India, was termed by the NIA as the “largest ever” investigation process “till date”.

    The NIA said the searches are taking place at the premises of people allegedly involved in terror funding, organising training camps, and radicalising people to join proscribed organisations.

    Details of the arrested activists were not available immediately, but officials said the arrests were done by the NIA, Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the police forces of 11 states so far.

  • PFI Patna case: NIA conducts raids in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Bihar

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The NIA on Thursday conducted raids in multiple states in connection with the PFI conspiracy case of Patna seizing “incriminating” materials, a spokesperson for the federal agency here said.

    The searches were carried out at 20 locations linked with the accused and suspects in Nalanda, Katihar, Arariya, Madhubani, Patna, Vaishali, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, and Saran districts of Bihar, the spokesperson said.

    The National Investigation Agency were also conducted searches in the Sivaganga district of Tamil Nadu and South Kannada district in Karnataka in the case pertaining to the involvement of Popular Front of India (PFI) in “anti-national activities”.

    “During the searches conducted today at the premises of accused and suspects, incriminating materials, including digital devices and documents, have been seized,” the spokesperson said.

    NEW DELHI: The NIA on Thursday conducted raids in multiple states in connection with the PFI conspiracy case of Patna seizing “incriminating” materials, a spokesperson for the federal agency here said.

    The searches were carried out at 20 locations linked with the accused and suspects in Nalanda, Katihar, Arariya, Madhubani, Patna, Vaishali, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, and Saran districts of Bihar, the spokesperson said.

    The National Investigation Agency were also conducted searches in the Sivaganga district of Tamil Nadu and South Kannada district in Karnataka in the case pertaining to the involvement of Popular Front of India (PFI) in “anti-national activities”.

    “During the searches conducted today at the premises of accused and suspects, incriminating materials, including digital devices and documents, have been seized,” the spokesperson said.

  • BJP government misusing NIA to target Muslim leaders, says Karnataka PFI

    By Express News Service

    MANGALURU: A day after NIA implicated the Popular Front of India (PFI) for the murder of BJP worker Praveen Nettaru, the PFI Karnataka State Committee on Wednesday accused the BJP government of misusing the NIA in order to target the leaders of the organisation on the pretext of investigating the Praveen Nettaru murder case.

    “There have been several murder incidents in the state recently, including the serial killings in Dakshina Kannada district. The BJP government has not given any significance to the investigation of the murders of Arbaaz from Belagavi, Sameer Shahapur, Masood of Sullia, Fazil of Suratkal. Just the murder of rowdy sheeter Harsha from Shivamoga and Praveen Nettaru is glorified,” PFI state secretary AK Ashraf told reporters at a press meet here.

    He said the preliminary investigation conducted by the local police into Harsh’s murder revealed that it was a fallout of a gang war while Praveen’s murder was due to local communal enmity. However, he alleged that Sangh Parivar activists were involved directly in the murder cases of Muslim youths in the state and accused the BJP government of following a biased approach.

    Ashraf further alleged that there was a larger conspiracy behind handing over only the murder cases of BJP workers to NIA. “It is clear that they have misused NIA. A Muslim youth accused in the recent stabbing incident in Shivamoga also has been booked under UAPA, which is an example of how the BJP is misusing investigative agencies like the NIA,” he said.

    Ashraf termed the NIA raids on the houses and offices of the leaders of Muslim organisations as misuse of constitutional institutions and harmful to democracy.

    “The BJP government has been executing massive campaigns against its staunch ideological opponent – PDI – to cover up its administrative failures. But so far it has not been able to provide legal evidence against the constitutionally functioning PFI. We cannot be intimated by such threats. The BJP government should immediately stop targetting Muslim leaders using NIA failing which the organisation will launch legal and democratic struggles across the state,” he threatened.

    MANGALURU: A day after NIA implicated the Popular Front of India (PFI) for the murder of BJP worker Praveen Nettaru, the PFI Karnataka State Committee on Wednesday accused the BJP government of misusing the NIA in order to target the leaders of the organisation on the pretext of investigating the Praveen Nettaru murder case.

    “There have been several murder incidents in the state recently, including the serial killings in Dakshina Kannada district. The BJP government has not given any significance to the investigation of the murders of Arbaaz from Belagavi, Sameer Shahapur, Masood of Sullia, Fazil of Suratkal. Just the murder of rowdy sheeter Harsha from Shivamoga and Praveen Nettaru is glorified,” PFI state secretary AK Ashraf told reporters at a press meet here.

    He said the preliminary investigation conducted by the local police into Harsh’s murder revealed that it was a fallout of a gang war while Praveen’s murder was due to local communal enmity. However, he alleged that Sangh Parivar activists were involved directly in the murder cases of Muslim youths in the state and accused the BJP government of following a biased approach.

    Ashraf further alleged that there was a larger conspiracy behind handing over only the murder cases of BJP workers to NIA. “It is clear that they have misused NIA. A Muslim youth accused in the recent stabbing incident in Shivamoga also has been booked under UAPA, which is an example of how the BJP is misusing investigative agencies like the NIA,” he said.

    Ashraf termed the NIA raids on the houses and offices of the leaders of Muslim organisations as misuse of constitutional institutions and harmful to democracy.

    “The BJP government has been executing massive campaigns against its staunch ideological opponent – PDI – to cover up its administrative failures. But so far it has not been able to provide legal evidence against the constitutionally functioning PFI. We cannot be intimated by such threats. The BJP government should immediately stop targetting Muslim leaders using NIA failing which the organisation will launch legal and democratic struggles across the state,” he threatened.

  • ‘Nitish wanted to protect nexus between PFI, Bihar officials’: BJP attacks Bihar CM

    By PTI

    PATNA: The BJP in Bihar on Saturday blamed the volte-face by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, whereby it was stripped of power in a trice, on a “nexus” between senior officials of the state and Islamic extremist organisations PFI and SDPI.

    State BJP president Sanjay Jaiswal also alleged that such officials were “sympathetic towards the RJD”, the numerically largest constituent of the ‘Mahagathbandhan’, which was “likely to make every effort to shield them”.

    “The NIA has busted a terror module of the PFI and the SDPI in Bihar, which have a close nexus with many senior administrative and police officials. The BJP, in national interests, would not have tried to save them, but it miffed Nitish Kumar who has vote bank concerns,” claimed Jaiswal.

    “Most of these officials are known to be close to the RJD and the new government will make every effort to shield them. But, the NIA is on the job and such officials will be exposed and brought to justice in the course of time,” the multiple-term MP said.

    The JD(U), meanwhile, scoffed at Jaiswal’s allegations.

    “Such statements indicate the onset of mental imbalance. Let the BJP be dethroned from Delhi and replaced with another dispensation. All party leaders will thereafter be seen in lunatic asylums,” JD(U) national secretary Rajiv Ranjan Prasad said.

    The BJP leader also claimed that incidents of blasts at illegal firecracker manufacture units in Saran and Bhagalpur districts, and at a seminary (madrasa) in Banka, all reported within the last half year, were linked to terror activities.

    “It is thanks to the officials that the sites of explosion were described as illegal firecracker units. Take the blast in Saran last month (for instance). The house that collapsed upon its impact had a concrete basement. The police officials deliberately did not investigate it in depth,” alleged Jaiswal, whose hardline had contributed significantly to the strain in the relations between the chief minister’s JD(U) and the BJP.

    The allegations also come in the backdrop of the resentment, often expressed by BJP leaders while they shared power with Kumar, over the CM’s refusal to part with the crucial home portfolio, which could have given the party control over the police.

    Moreover, the party also seems to be agitated over the possibility of a bureaucratic reshuffle that is on the cards, after the new government wins the trust vote in the assembly.

    Top police officers, perceived to be “close” to the BJP, are expected to be shunted under the new dispensation.

    PATNA: The BJP in Bihar on Saturday blamed the volte-face by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, whereby it was stripped of power in a trice, on a “nexus” between senior officials of the state and Islamic extremist organisations PFI and SDPI.

    State BJP president Sanjay Jaiswal also alleged that such officials were “sympathetic towards the RJD”, the numerically largest constituent of the ‘Mahagathbandhan’, which was “likely to make every effort to shield them”.

    “The NIA has busted a terror module of the PFI and the SDPI in Bihar, which have a close nexus with many senior administrative and police officials. The BJP, in national interests, would not have tried to save them, but it miffed Nitish Kumar who has vote bank concerns,” claimed Jaiswal.

    “Most of these officials are known to be close to the RJD and the new government will make every effort to shield them. But, the NIA is on the job and such officials will be exposed and brought to justice in the course of time,” the multiple-term MP said.

    The JD(U), meanwhile, scoffed at Jaiswal’s allegations.

    “Such statements indicate the onset of mental imbalance. Let the BJP be dethroned from Delhi and replaced with another dispensation. All party leaders will thereafter be seen in lunatic asylums,” JD(U) national secretary Rajiv Ranjan Prasad said.

    The BJP leader also claimed that incidents of blasts at illegal firecracker manufacture units in Saran and Bhagalpur districts, and at a seminary (madrasa) in Banka, all reported within the last half year, were linked to terror activities.

    “It is thanks to the officials that the sites of explosion were described as illegal firecracker units. Take the blast in Saran last month (for instance). The house that collapsed upon its impact had a concrete basement. The police officials deliberately did not investigate it in depth,” alleged Jaiswal, whose hardline had contributed significantly to the strain in the relations between the chief minister’s JD(U) and the BJP.

    The allegations also come in the backdrop of the resentment, often expressed by BJP leaders while they shared power with Kumar, over the CM’s refusal to part with the crucial home portfolio, which could have given the party control over the police.

    Moreover, the party also seems to be agitated over the possibility of a bureaucratic reshuffle that is on the cards, after the new government wins the trust vote in the assembly.

    Top police officers, perceived to be “close” to the BJP, are expected to be shunted under the new dispensation.

  • Bihar terror module case: NIA conducts raids several places in search of PFI members

    Express News Service

    PATNA: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday conducted raids in different places in Patna, Nalanda and Darbhanga districts in connection with Phulwarisahrif terror module case allegedly linked to extremist outfit – Popular Front of India (PFI).

    The NIA officials also raided the house of Mohammad Athar Parvez at Phulwarisharif in Patna. Parvez, a former member of banned outfit Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), is currently lodged in Beur central jail in Patna.

    Earlier, an NIA team reached Singhwara in Darbhanga district early Thursday morning and started search for Mustkin, a resident of Shankarpur village. The raiding team also conducted a raid at ancestral house of Sanaullah alias Yakib and Nariuddin Jangi.

    In Nalanda, the NIA team was on the look out of Mohammad Siraz alias Lalbabu, Faiz and Mohammad Asgar Ali, stated to be closely associated with SDPI. Siyaz alias Lalbabu is stated to be district president of SDPI.

    A report from East Champaran said the NIA team was looking for Mohmmad Riayz Mauroof alias Bablu at Kuan village near Motihari. Riyaz is the general secretary of PFI.

    ALSO READ | Documents show PFI’s plot for making India an Islamic state by 2047

    In Patna’s Nayatola, the raiding team stumbled upon important documents in a rented house of Mohammad Athar, stated to be the leader of the group in Bihar. The entire locality had converted into a fortress in the wake of the search operation.

    The PFI ‘terror module’ case was recently unearthed by the Bihar Police with the arrest of three people for their alleged links with the group and their plans to indulge in “anti-India” activities.

    On Wednesday, the NIA carried out searches in Jamia Maria Niswa Madrasa located in Bihar’s East Champaran district and arrested a teacher identified as Asghar Ali. Mohammad Jalaluddin, a retired Jharkhand Police officer, and Athar Parvez were arrested on July 13 from the Phulwari Sharif area of Bihar’s capital Patna while Nuruddin Jangi was arrested three days later from Lucknow by Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) in the request of the Bihar Police.

    The NIA registered the case on July 22 night under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act following an order issued by the Counter Terrorism and Counter Radicalisation division of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) directing the agency to take over the investigation from Bihar Police.

    Till date, five members of the group have been arrested in the case.

    PATNA: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday conducted raids in different places in Patna, Nalanda and Darbhanga districts in connection with Phulwarisahrif terror module case allegedly linked to extremist outfit – Popular Front of India (PFI).

    The NIA officials also raided the house of Mohammad Athar Parvez at Phulwarisharif in Patna. Parvez, a former member of banned outfit Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), is currently lodged in Beur central jail in Patna.

    Earlier, an NIA team reached Singhwara in Darbhanga district early Thursday morning and started search for Mustkin, a resident of Shankarpur village. The raiding team also conducted a raid at ancestral house of Sanaullah alias Yakib and Nariuddin Jangi.

    In Nalanda, the NIA team was on the look out of Mohammad Siraz alias Lalbabu, Faiz and Mohammad Asgar Ali, stated to be closely associated with SDPI. Siyaz alias Lalbabu is stated to be district president of SDPI.

    A report from East Champaran said the NIA team was looking for Mohmmad Riayz Mauroof alias Bablu at Kuan village near Motihari. Riyaz is the general secretary of PFI.

    ALSO READ | Documents show PFI’s plot for making India an Islamic state by 2047

    In Patna’s Nayatola, the raiding team stumbled upon important documents in a rented house of Mohammad Athar, stated to be the leader of the group in Bihar. The entire locality had converted into a fortress in the wake of the search operation.

    The PFI ‘terror module’ case was recently unearthed by the Bihar Police with the arrest of three people for their alleged links with the group and their plans to indulge in “anti-India” activities.

    On Wednesday, the NIA carried out searches in Jamia Maria Niswa Madrasa located in Bihar’s East Champaran district and arrested a teacher identified as Asghar Ali. Mohammad Jalaluddin, a retired Jharkhand Police officer, and Athar Parvez were arrested on July 13 from the Phulwari Sharif area of Bihar’s capital Patna while Nuruddin Jangi was arrested three days later from Lucknow by Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) in the request of the Bihar Police.

    The NIA registered the case on July 22 night under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act following an order issued by the Counter Terrorism and Counter Radicalisation division of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) directing the agency to take over the investigation from Bihar Police.

    Till date, five members of the group have been arrested in the case.