At least 100 leaders of the Popular Front of India have been arrested during multiple raids conducted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday morning, NDTV reported.
In a massive crackdown on PFI, the Investigating agency carried out raids in ten states, including Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
Over 100 top PFI leaders and functionaries have been arrested in the nationwide raids. The raids were carried out by NIA, Enforcement Directorate (ED) and state police in a coordinated move.
The maximum number of arrests were made in Kerala (22) followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka (20 each), Andhra Pradesh (5), Assam (9), Delhi (3), Madhya Pradesh (4), Puducherry (3), Tamil Nadu (10), Uttar Pradesh (8) and Rajasthan (2).
In what is believed to be the “largest ever” crackdown till date, raids and searches are being carried out against those allegedly involved in terror funding, organising training camps and radicalising others to join extremist groups.
PFI members staged protests in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka against the arrests.
“The raids are taking place at the homes of national, state and local leaders of PFI. The state committee office is also being raided. We strongly protest the fascist regime’s moves to use agencies to silence dissenting voices,” the PFI said in a statement.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah today chaired a meeting with officials in connection with raids.
National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, NIA chief Dinkar Gupta and the Director of Intelligence Bureau of India Tapan Deka were among those present in the meeting.
On Tuesday, the anti-terror agency charged four PFI functionaries under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) after carrying out searches at 38 locations in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.