India bans Islamic group Popular Front of India

The police use tear gas to disperse members and activists of the Popular Front of India during a demonstration at Trivandrum residence on June 6, 2022, outside the residence of Chief Minister Kerala. SUNEESH Kumar SAFP Indian authorities have declared the Popular Front of India and its affiliates an unlawful association with immediate effect on Wednesday, banning it for five years.

The order comes after the authorities detained scores of members of the Islamic group on Tuesday and earlier in the month, accusing them of violence and anti-national activities. PFI denies the charges and condemns the detentions and related raids as harassment and has held street protests.

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A government notification said on Wednesday that PFI authorities are raising funds in India and overseas as part of a criminal conspiracy and then transferring funds through multiple accounts to show they are legitimate.

It said these funds are used to carry out various criminal, unlawful and terrorist activities in the country.

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Earlier on Tuesday, police in Uttar Pradesh said they held 57 persons linked to the PFI because of violent acts conducted by them and their rising anti-national activities across the country.