The Delhi Police’s Special Cell has detained 30 people allegedly associated with the Popular Front of India (PFI) from multiple locations, including Nizamuddin and Shaheen Bagh, on Tuesday, as part of a crackdown against the outfit. Paramilitary forces have been deployed in northeast, central, southeast and Rohini districts of Delhi where the raids were conducted.
Meanwhile, Delhi Police has also imposed Section 144 in the city's Jamia Nagar and said that it is not related to the coordinated action being taken against the PFI, as the order is 10 days old.
The raids began at around 12.30 AM on Tuesday and continued till early morning. "We have conducted raids at multiple locations in the national Capital, including Shaheen Bagh and Nizamuddin. So, far we have detained 30 people associated with the PFI," a senior police officer said.
According to Suman Nalwa, the Delhi Police Public Relations Officer (PRO), in a "joint, coordinated action" against the PFI, 30 people have been detained so far. “The district heads were asked by top officials to assist the Special Cell teams in identifying and locating people linked with the PFI,” sources said. No case has been registered as the investigation is underway, said a senior police officer. Delhi Police Commissioner, Sanjay Arora also held a meeting with Joint CPs, Special CPs and Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) at police headquarters. “Officials have been asked to monitor the situation and counter any rumour, misinformation and asked to be vigilant towards the activities of any mischievous or anti-social elements.
The officials have been asked to hold meetings with members of Aman (peace) committees and request them to appeal to the people to maintain peace,” said a source. The crackdown comes five days after similar pan India searches against the group often accused of being linked to radical Islam.
Formed in 2006, 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. The organisation was formed in Kerala and is headquartered in Delhi. Following the mega crackdown, the PFI stares at a possible countrywide ban.
