The Tamil Nadu Police on Saturday commenced sealing the offices of the banned Popular Front of India (PFI) in the state after Chief Secretary V. Irai Anbu issued a notification terming the PFI and its associates as unlawful associations.

Popular Front of India Tamil Nadu Head Office doors has been broken in front of Chennai Corporation Officials and Police Officials. Officials are checking the documents and the bills inside the PFI Headquarters. The officials were seen sealing the PFI headquarters in Purasivakkam, Chennai

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Earlier Friday, Vadodara Police and Gujarat Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) sealed a madrasa linked to the Popular Front of India. The madrasa was linked with the All India Imams Council (AIIC) is associated with PFI and was banned on Wednesday by the Centre.

The Central government banned the Popular Front of India (PFI), its associates, and affiliates as an unlawful association with immediate effect for a period of five years under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) made the announcement through a notification issued late on Tuesday night, declaring “the PFI and its associates or affiliates or fronts as an unlawful association with immediate effect”.

Along with PFI, the ban is also imposed on its 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”.

The notification clearly mentioned that the ban has been imposed against PFI and its associates or affiliates or fronts for “indulging in unlawful activities, which are prejudicial to the integrity, sovereignty and security of the country and have the potential of disturbing public peace and communal harmony of the country and supporting militancy in the country.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 3 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. 1967 (37 of 1967), the Central Government hereby declares the Popular Front of India (PFI) and 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’,” reads the notification.

The PFI and its associates or affiliates or fronts have been working covertly to increase radicalization of one community by promoting a sense of insecurity in the country, which is substantiated by the fact that some PFI cadres have joined international terrorist organisations.”

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”, mentioned the notification.

The notification noted that “Rehab India Foundation collects funds through PFI members and some of the members of the PFI are also members of Campus Front of India. Empower India Foundation, Rehab Foundation, Kerala, and the activities of Junior Front.

All India Imams Council, National Commission of Human Rights Organization (NCHRO) and National Women’s Front are monitored and coordinated by the PFI leaders”. It is accused that “the PFI has created the associates or affiliates or fronts with the objective of enhancing its reach among different sections of the society such as youth, students, women, Imams, lawyers or weaker sections of the society with the sole objective of expanding its membership, influence and fundraising capacity”.