Links with Global Terrorist Groups: Centre bans PFI, 8 affiliates for 5 years

Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has banned the Popular Front of India (PFI) and its affiliates for global terror links.

MHA declared the Popular Front of India (PFI) and its affiliates as an 'Unlawful Association' with immediate effect for five years.

According to a press release, PFI and its associates or affiliates or fronts be involved in serious offences, including terrorism and its financing, targeted gruesome killings, disregarding the constitutional set-up of the country, disturbing public order, etc. which are prejudicial to the integrity, security, and sovereignty of the country.

Therefore, the Ministry of Home Affairs stated that it found it necessary to curb the nefarious activities of the organization and has hence declared the Popular Front of India (PFI) along with its associates or affiliates or fronts including Rehab India Foundation (RIF), Campus Front of India (CFI), All India Imams Council (AIIC), National Confederation of Human Rights Organization (NCHRO), National Women's Front, Junior Front, Empower India Foundation and Rehab Foundation, Kerala as an "unlawful association" under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

A Gazette Notification released states that the Income Tax Department has canceled the registration granted to PFI under section 12A or 12AA of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (43 of 1961). The Income Tax Department has also canceled the registration granted to Rehab India Foundation under section 12A or section 12AA of the Income Tax Act, 1961.

"The PFI is involved in several criminal and terror cases and shows sheer disrespect towards the constitutional authority of the country and with funds and ideological support from outside it has become a major threat to the internal security of the country," the notification read.

The centre also alleged that there have been several instances of international linkages of PFI with Global Terrorist Groups and some activists of the PFI have joined the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and participated in terror activities in Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

Navid Hamid, President of AI Muslim Majilis-e-Mushawarat said: "Government of India has not placed on record anything about any terror activities of PFI. The banning of the agency and their associated organizations will hurt at the ground level. They are carrying works in different fields including education, women empowerment, and youth."