Maharashtra ATS arrests the secretary of the PFI unit and other activists from the Raigad district

The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) arrested four members of the banned Popular Front of India (PFI) in Panvel, Raigad district. According to an official, those arrested included a local unit secretary and two other members of the outfit’s state expansion committee.

The ATS also had specific information about a meeting of two PFI officials and a few workers in Panvel, despite the fact that the group has been banned by the Indian government.

According to the report, the four were arrested after being questioned in a case registered at the Kalachowki unit of the ATS in Mumbai under Section 10 of the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

The latest arrests come just days after separate NIA teams, with the assistance of Bihar police, raided two different locations in Patna in connection with the Phulwarisahrif case, which is allegedly linked to the PFI.

The government banned the PFI and several of its associates for five years last month, accusing them of having “links” with global terror groups such as ISIS. Last month, more than 250 people allegedly associated with the PFI were detained or arrested in raids across multiple states.

The Centre banned the PFI and several of its associates for five years last month, accusing them of having “links” with global terror groups such as the Islamic State. In raids across multiple states, over 250 people allegedly associated with the PFI were detained or arrested.