Removal of PFI necessary to make India terror-free: VHP

At a time when NIA raids on PFI offices are underway across the country, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad spokesperson Vinod Bansal on September 28 said that the country could not be terror-free unless the ‘clan of terror’ is abolished.

His remarks came after the Central Government banned the Popular Front of India (PFI) and its affiliate organisations yesterday after considering the evidences gathered by the NIA. According to NIA, PFI is involved in anti-national and terror activities.

Terming PFI as ‘clan of terror’, he said, "This (Popular Front of India) was a clan of terror, whose terrorism cannot be finished until and unless you destroy its clan...."

"Their supporters also needed to be restricted else the way PFI came after Students' Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), some other CFI will come after PFI," he added emphasising the need to finish the supporters of such organisations.

The VHP spokesperson urged Centre to ensure that no such outfit emerges after the PFI.

Expressing happiness over the central government's decision, he mentioned that the ban sought was 'age old' and said, "Congress and parties that originated from Congress have supported them politically".

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Tuesday night made the announcement through a notification declaring "the PFI and its associates or affiliates or fronts as an unlawful association with immediate effect".

Along with PFI, the ban was 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 National Investigation Agency, Enforcement Directorate and the state police forces jointly coordinated searches at the houses and offices of the PFI leaders and members across India.

Searches were conducted at 93 locations in 15 states of India in which over 100 activists of the Popular Front of India (PFI) were arrested.