The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has revealed alarming information about an extensive plot allegedly orchestrated by the banned terrorist organization, Popular Front of India (PFI). In a recent submission to a special NIA court, the agency claimed that PFI had created “hit lists” containing the names of 977 individuals in Kerala, including judges, political workers, and activists.
This disclosure was made during the hearing of a bail plea filed by two accused Muhammad Bilal and Riyasudheen, linked to the murder of RSS leader K S Sreenivasan at Melamuri Junction in Palakkad in 2022. The NIA opposed their release, citing the discovery of multiple hit lists as evidence of a far-reaching conspiracy.
Extensive Target Lists, Intelligence Collection and Militant Training
According to the NIA, one of the key figures in the plot, Sirajudheen, a member of PFI’s so-called “Reporter Wing,” was found with a list naming 240 potential targets, most of them Hindu. The agency stressed that these documents indicated a planned operation posing a serious threat to public order and safety.
Another list was found in the wallet of accused Abdul Wahab, detailing at least five individuals, including a retired district judge from Kerala. A separate search at the residence of absconding suspect Ayoob T.A. led to the seizure of yet another list containing the names of 500 people. These targets spanned various walks of life, especially individuals involved in the legal and political spheres.
The NIA identified the “Reporter Wing” as a clandestine intelligence-gathering unit within PFI, responsible for collecting personal and professional details of potential targets. The information compiled by this group was then used to assemble these hit lists.
In addition to the lists, the agency said it had found documents indicating that PFI had been conducting weapons training at a facility in Periyar Valley, Aluva. The site has now been seized under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), with investigators treating it as a base used for extremist training purposes.
In response, the accused argued that the charges were baseless and politically motivated. Their legal counsel stated that both men had been in custody for more than three years, that the investigation had concluded, and that they were willing to comply with any conditions set by the court, including full cooperation with any ongoing inquiries.
The court, however, sided with the prosecution. Special Judge P.K. Mohandas of the NIA Court rejected the bail applications, citing the serious nature of the accusations. He stated there was prima facie evidence supporting the NIA’s claims and emphasized that releasing the accused at this stage could pose a threat to public safety and obstruct the course of justice. The judge also pointed out that the final charge sheet had been filed and the matter was now ready to proceed to trial.
Congress Cozying With Islamists
Even as the NIA informed the court that the banned outfit Popular Front of India (PFI) had prepared a chilling hit list with 977 names—including judges, activists, and politicians—in Kerala, the Congress finds itself embroiled in controversy for cozying up to the PFI’s political offshoot, SDPI.
On June 21, the foundation day of the radical Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), Congress MP Anto Antony welcomed party workers from SDPI at his office in Kerala. Led by Muhammad Rashid, the Aranmula constituency president of SDPI, the group brought laddus to mark the occasion, which were received and celebrated at the MP’s office.
The entire exchange, including the sweet distribution and interactions, was recorded and circulated widely on social media—sparking outrage and raising serious questions about Congress’s proximity to extremist-linked groups.
The incident has intensified criticism from political opponents, who accuse the Congress of pandering to communal elements for electoral gains. This follows earlier allegations during the Nilambur by-election, where the UDF was slammed for allegedly aligning with groups like Jamaat-e-Islami.
As the NIA exposes the violent underbelly of PFI’s operations, Congress’s public gestures toward SDPI have triggered a new storm: Is the party turning a blind eye to radicalism in the name of vote bank politics?
(With inputs from News 18)
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