The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has achieved significant breakthroughs in the fight against terrorism, making multiple arrests in three separate cases involving the banned outfits CPI (Maoist), Hizbul Mujahideen (HM), and the Popular Front of India (PFI). The arrests were made after extensive investigations and raids conducted in different states, marking a significant milestone in efforts to curb anti-national activities.
• CPI (Maoist) Encounter Case, Chhattisgarh: In the Tiriya encounter case, also known as the RK Dairy case, the NIA has arrested two individuals, including a woman. The arrested accused, identified as Kandula Sirisha, Padmakka, and Duddu Prabhakar, were found to be associated with the CPI (Maoist) and were allegedly promoting and expanding the banned outfit’s anti-national activities. The encounter took place in July 2019, resulting in the deaths of six Maoists and one civilian near Tiriya village in Chhattisgarh. The NIA’s investigations have led to a total of six arrests in this case, shedding light on the extent of the Maoist network.
• Hizbul Mujahideen Terror Conspiracy Case, Jammu & Kashmir:
The NIA conducted raids at the residence of an absconding accused, Riaz Ahmed Hazari, in the Hizbul Mujahideen terror conspiracy case. The accused, a resident of Kishtwar district in Jammu and Kashmir, is an active militant and the district Deputy Commander of HM. The investigation has revealed his involvement in recruiting and training individuals to carry out terror attacks in different parts of India. The NIA had previously charged two other individuals, Kamrun and Osama Bin Javed, who were linked to the criminal conspiracy. Osama was killed in an encounter with security forces in 2019. The ongoing investigation aims to dismantle the HM network and prevent further acts of terrorism.
• PFI Conspiracy Case, Tamil Nadu:
In the Ramalingam Murder PFI conspiracy case, Ramalingam was fatally attacked and killed near Thiruvidaimarudur in Thanjavur district on February 5, 2019. According to the FIR, he was allegedly killed for interfering in the religious propagation activity carried out by some Muslims in the Pakku Vinayagam Thoppy village in Thiruvidaimarudur on the morning of the murder. The NIA conducted state-wide raids at 21 locations in Tamil Nadu. The raids targeted five absconding Proclaimed Offenders (POs) and suspects associated with the Popular Front of India (PFI). The accused were allegedly involved in the brutal assassination of a man who opposed the forcible conversions carried out by the banned outfit. The NIA had earlier filed a Chargesheet against 18 accused, including the five absconding accused, and today’s raids have led to the seizure of crucial digital devices and documents. The NIA has announced a cash reward of Rs. 5 lakh for information leading to the arrest of each of the five absconders.