The coordinated raids and arrest of around 100 members of the Popular Front of India (PFI) on Thursday by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) were planned on the basis of documents and information collected by the Intelligence Bureau (IB), a senior government official said.
National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval monitored the raids that began in the early hours on Thursday. As it was a countrywide raid, Central forces were kept on stand-by and minimal information was shared with the local police.
This is not the first time that the organisation, comprising mostly Muslim members, which describes itself as a “neo-social movement which strives for the empowerment of marginalised sections of India” has been in the crosshairs of the security agencies. In 2010, some members of the PFI attacked Professor T.J. Joseph in the Ernakulam district of Kerala, chopping off his right palm. Mr. Joseph was targeted over a question paper he set for a college examination that had some references to the Prophet, which the attackers said were insulting.
