The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday launched India's “largest Anti-Terror Operation” in which they raided the office headquarters of the Islamic organisation Popular Front of India (PFI) in 11 states, including Manipur.
In regard to NIA’s mega crackdown at PFI offices, Union minister Amit Shah chaired a meeting in New Delhi.
In Manipur, a team of NIA Imphal branch along with police raided the PFI Manipur headquarters at the second floor of HK Enterprises building, near Lilong Keithel along Masjid road, under the NIA Code of Criminal Procedure code, 1973 section 165 (3).
The team led by NIA Imphal branch deputy SP JS Rautela conducted the raid which was assisted by a combined team of Thoubal district police and the security personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force.
The team consisted of seven personnel of NIA led by the deputy SP and one NIA SI, two ASI, one head constable along with a male and a female constable.
PFI Manipur president Md Abdullah and general secretary Md Rafijuddin along with a team of Lilong police station, CRPF personnel, as well as two independent witnesses accompanied the raid team.
During the raid, no one besides media personnel were allowed in the office complex. Similar to NIA’s countrywide raid of PFI offices, the NIA Imphal raid began at 2 am and concluded at 10.30 am.
The raid team seized various items and documents from the PFI Manipur office as the case prima facie for further investigation.
The seized items included two mobile phones, four seals used by the office bearers, resolution copies of meetings organised by PFI, Aadhar card copies of PFI Manipur president Md Abdullah and general secretary Md Rafijuddin, bank passbooks of PFI Manipur accounts at Punjab National Bank, MRB, Syndicate Bank, Canara Bank and SBI, one laptop, photos and state copy of convention organised by PFI on July.
Balance sheet copy under PFI Manipur for March 31 of 2019, contract between PFI Manipur and HK Enterprises for renting the office building, photo copies of press release regarding the defeat of the BJP and eviction in Assam were seized.
List containing names of donors who donated to PFI Manipur for Educare Fund 2018-19, photo copies of PFI constitution, lists for working funds, a magazine entitled ‘Issue and Views’ etc., were also seized.
Following the raid, the team prohibited the entrance to the office until the conclusion of the investigation. The team locked the office and handed over the keys to the Lilong police station OC.
After the raid, PFI Manipur state president Md Abdullah told the media that PFI Manipur had not involve in any form of unlawful conduct “although the midnight raid may paint a contradictory picture”. PFI is a peaceful organisation which stands for truth and works for the wellbeing of the society, he added.
He continued that the NIA team maintained respect for the PFI Manipur members and the PFI members also complied with the queries of the raid team. The NIA team had also informed the investigation will be continued, he said.
He also extended appreciation to the people who came out in support of the PFI Manipur, inviting the people to stand together for a peaceful India. “Let NIA return, we have nothing to fear as truth will always triumph,” he added.
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