In the first round of raids, held on September 22, the sleuths had arrested over 100 members of PFI.
New Delhi: Days after the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Enforcement Directorate conducted raids on top leaders of Popular Front of India (PFI), a second round of raids are currently underway. The raids are being conducted in Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Assam, Delhi, Maharashtra, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh.
In the first round of raids, held on September 22, the sleuths had arrested over 100 members of PFI. According to PFI, the accused are involved in terror funding, training youths and radicalising them and providing weapons. PFI has also been accused of recruiting youths for terror activities.
In Delhi, the police are conducting raids in central Delhi, Shaheen Bagh, Jamia, Rohini and Nizamuddin. According to sources, around 30 people have been detained so far.
In Maharashtra, around four PFI members were arrested from Mumbra by the sleuths of the Thane Crime Branch. The members were picked up for their alleged involvement in “unlawful activities, promoting enmity among communities and waging a war against the country”, said sources. Reports of raids in Aurangabad and Solapur have also come in.
Also Read: 100 PFI leaders arrested in joint raids by NIA, ED across 10 states
In Karnataka, around 40 PFI members were picked up. Houses linked with PFI leaders were raided across the state. Sources said the raids were conducted in Bagalkote, Bidar, Chamarajanagar, Chitradurga, Ramanagara, Mangaluru, Koppal, Bellari, Kolar, Bengaluru, Mysuru, and Vijayapura districts. Around 75 party workers of the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), the political front of PFI, were also taken in preventive custody.
In Madhya Pradesh, around 21 PFI workers have been detained. Around 25 have been detained in Assam. On Monday, the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) arrested one person.
Reacting to the raids, the PFI, in a statement, had earlier said, “We strongly protest the fascist regime’s moves to use agencies to silence dissenting voices…(the) raids are taking place at the homes of its national, state and local leaders. The state committee office is also being raided.”
