Central probe agencies scan PFI’s role in Jahangirpuri violence

(ANI Photo/Amit Sharma)


Central probe agencies have been scanning the alleged role of the Popular Front of India (PFI) into the Jahangirpuri communal violence on April 16, according to sources.

The sources in the intelligence network have said that the agencies have been scanning the presence of a few people connected to the PFI’s student wing in Jahangirpuri and trying to ascertain with whom they met while they were in the area.

The sources also said that they have identified around 22 mobile numbers of PFI student wing members who were present in the area before the violence erupted.

They said that the probe agencies have been trying to ascertain their activities and they may be questioned by the Crime Branch of the Delhi Police.

Some of these numbers were found to be active even during the February 2020 Delhi riots.

The probe agencies also want to ascertain whether these PFI members had any links with the violence in Jahangirpuri as the Delhi Police has suggested that Ansar, the main accused in the clashes, had ties with the radical organisation.

The intelligence agencies have earlier expressed apprehension that some radical organisations such as PFI might have instigated the violence.

Severe communal clashes erupted at the Jahangirpuri area on April 16 during a Hanuman Jayanti procession in which nine people, including eight policemen, were injured.

The police has till now arrested 25 people and apprehended two juveniles, while one of the arrested person’s relatives was bound down for injuring a police Inspector by pelting stones at him.