The National Investigation Agency has arrested two accused linked to the banned organisation, the Popular Front of India, in a case registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The two men were allegedly organising weapons training camps in poll-bound Rajasthan’s Jaipur and Kota.
According to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), the accused were identified as Vajid Ali and Mubarik Ali, who were conspiring with previously chargesheeted accused involved in radicalising Muslim youth to “commit unlawful activities and terrorist acts” in different parts of India including Rajasthan.
Investigations said Vajid and Mubarik were linked to Mohammad Ashif aka Asif, Sadiq Sarraf and Mohd Sohail, who are all trained cadres/members of the Popular Front of India (PFI). They were allegedly involved in a criminal conspiracy and activities related to recruitment of members/cadres for the purpose of committing violent acts.
The NIA said these acts were also extended to inciting religious hatred, radicalisation of Muslim youth, organisation of training camps and fundraising to commit terrorist acts. Vajid and Mubarik along with Asif, Sadiq and Sohail were involved in organising camps in Jaipur and Kota, where they provided weapons training to young cadres of the PFI, the anti-terror agency said.
It further said the aim was to achieve the PFI’s long-term agenda: “establishing Islamic Rule in India by 2047 and to overthrow the democratically elected central government through violent acts”.
The PFI, which was banned in September 2022, has collected funds from Muslims in the guise of zakat, which is meant for charitable purposes, the NIA said. These funds, instead of being utilised for welfare and charitable activities, were being used to support weapons trainers and training, the agency added.
Intelligence inputs indicated that Sadiq and Asif are associated with the PFI. Alongside them, the office-bearers, members and cadres of the organisation are also engaging in unlawful activities, the agency said.
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