Kerala and Tamil Nadu governments declare PFI an unlawful organisation

The Union government on Tuesday declared the Popular Front of India (PFI) and its associates as an unlawful organisation and imposed a ban with immediate effect, for a period of five years.
PFI leader arrested
PFI leader arrested
Written by:

After the Union government declared that the Popular Front of India (PFI) and its associates were banned for five years in India, the state governments of Kerala and Tamil Nadu have released orders to the same effect. In its order dated September 28, both the governments have stated that the PFI and its associates, 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 are unlawful organisations.

The GO (Government Order) released by Tamil Nadu government stated that the Governor of Tamil Nadu directs that all the powers exercisable by the Government of Tamil Nadu ‘in relation to the aforesaid unlawful association’, “namely “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 shall also be exercised by the Commissioners of Police in the Cities and by the District Collectors elsewhere.”

The Kerala GO, similarly, says that the state government ordered that the powers of State Government “stands delegated to the District Magistrate/Commissioner of Police/ Superintendent of Police concerned, within their jurisdiction.” The DMs and SPs, in their respective jurisdictions, would be exercising powers under Sections 7 (power to prohibit the use of funds of an unlawful association and 8 (power to notify places used for the purpose of an unlawful association) of UAPA, the state government order said.

PFI and affiliated organisations were banned after the National Investigation Agency (NIA) carried out a massive raid on organisations across the country. In it's notification, the Ministry of Home Affairs stated that the PFI was involved in "several criminal and terror cases" and shows "sheer disrespect to the constitutional authority" of the country. It also said that the organisation has received external funds and ideological support which has become an "internal threat" to India.

(With PTI inputs)

Related Stories

No stories found.
The News Minute
www.thenewsminute.com