NIA Raids Underway In Places Linked To Banned PFI Across TN

NIA Raids Tamil Nadu: The searches are currently being held in places including Chennai, Madurai, Dindigul and Theni districts.

The NIA teams were examining a number of incriminating documents at the premises

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is carrying out searches in several places across Tamil Nadu related to the banned terror outfit Popular Front of India (PFI) on Tuesday. The searches are currently being held in places including Chennai, Madurai, Dindigul and Theni districts.

According to ANI, “#WATCH | NIA detains Mohammad Qaiser, the Madurai Regional President of the banned organisation Popular Front of India, from Pazhani in Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu, as per police sources.”

#WATCH | NIA detains Mohammad Qaiser, the Madurai Regional President of the banned organisation Popular Front of India, from Pazhani in Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu, as per police sources pic.twitter.com/jOovRcYqcO

— ANI (@ANI) May 9, 2023

A source said that the NIA was raiding ten locations in Tamil Nadu belonging to the banned organisation Popular Front of India (PFI), said a report on IANS. The Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) premises were also being raided.

The NIA teams were examining a number of incriminating documents. As of now, the NIA has not officially commented anything on the raids. Further details are awaited.

Last year, the NIA conducted searches on the premises of arrested accused in several places across Tamil Nadu. The NIA also seized incriminating documents and digital devices.

In one of the largest anti-terror operation in September, NIA in a statement said, "Searches were conducted by the ED, NIA and the state police forces across 93 locations in 15 states on top PFI leaders and members in five cases registered on inputs of involvement of PFI leaders and cadres in funding of terrorism, terrorist activities and radicalising people." 
 
However, the NIA raids were widely condemned by Opposition parties. The PFI also organised a bandh (shutdown) in Kerala in a protest against the move.