New Delhi: The banned Popular Front of India (PFI) had more than 13,000 active members in Singapore and Gulf countries, including Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, who were allegedly tasked with fund collection, according to the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

In a statement released on Friday, the investigative agency noted that PFI had established well-defined District Executive Committees (DECs) for the Non-Resident Muslim diaspora in the Gulf, each assigned targets amounting to several crores of rupees for fundraising.

The ED reported that funds raised abroad were transferred to India through complex banking channels and underground "hawala" networks to obscure their origins, later being handed over to PFI and its leaders to support their terrorist and unlawful activities.

The Central Government banned PFI under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) on September 28, 2022, following the arrest of several of its leaders by the NIA during a nationwide crackdown.

The investigation revealed that PFI's true objectives differ significantly from those stated in its constitution. The actual goals of PFI include establishing an organisation to promote an Islamic movement in India through Jihad, while it presents itself as a social movement. Although PFI claims to use non-violent forms of protest, evidence indicates that its methods are often violent, the ED asserted.

The ED also alleged that PFI conducted arms training under the guise of Physical Education (PE) classes, teaching offensive and defensive maneuvers involving various forms of attacks, including blows, punches, kicks and knife and stick assaults.

"These classes were held on properties registered under fictitious owners' names. Notably, PFI does not own any properties in its own name," the statement added.

One example cited was the Narath Arms Camp incident in 2013, where PFI reportedly trained its members in explosives and weapons use at an arms camp in Narath, Kannur district in Kerala. The intention behind this training was to foster animosity between different religious groups and prepare members for terrorist activities, the ED added.
 

Agencies