Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala): The Communist government in Kerala has been shielding the banned PFI. Popular Front of India (PFI) is an Islamic radical organization that has been carrying out terrorist activities. This came to light after the Kerala High Court, on December 19, rapped the Communist government. The Court criticised the Pinarayi Vijayan led Kerala govt for the delay in attaching property of PFI. HC had given these directions against PFI for causing widespread damage and violence. PFI cadres caused the damage after calling for a flash hartal on 23 September.
In fact, Pinarayi had ordered Kerala police not to show any haste in clamping down on these terrorists. Allegations are that his government favored Kerala PFI. It allowed general secretary of PFI, Abdul Sathar, and his accomplices to shift weapons, books of accounts, and other evidence from Kerala to other states with active connivance of state politicians.
Brushing PFI crimes under the carpet
The Communist regime also faced allegations of trying to pass off the incident slyly. It mentioning losses of just Rs 42 lakhs, which stood at one-tenth of the losses caused to the state exchequer. Thanks to Justice Devan Ramachandran’s interference and questioning the Communist government’s logic.
The government submitted before the court that the violence and stone pelting damaged a few buses. It resulted in smashed windscreens and damaged seats on less than 58 buses. In retaliation, the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) termed the PFI hartal as illegal for not giving an advance notice, which is a violation of the High Court’s orders. Ten KSRTC employees and one passenger were also injured in the violence.
The trust deficit also prompted NIA officers to shun the backup of the Communist-controlled Kerala police to arrest 250 top PFI terrorists. Some media reports suggested that they sought the services of CRPF personnel for protection, security, and surveillance. Responding to the Communist government’s delayed action, the court rapped it. The court said that it finds the attitude of the state government to be wholly unacceptable and per se disrespectful to its directions.
“The state government (Communist govt) cannot adopt such a callous attitude when called upon to implement the directions of this court, especially in matters of public interest and involving destruction of public property,” the court said. The Kerala High Court extended the time granted for compliance with the earlier directions until 31 January.
PFI has a chequered past
Since PFI’s inception in 2006, authorities have registered more than 1,400 criminal cases against this Islamic terror outfit. This terrorist organization drew inspiration from the Muslim Brotherhood. The Muslim Brotherhood government in Egypt, led by Mohammed Morsi, was ousted on that day in 2013. Over the years, PFI goons have been calling 30 August as ‘Solidarity Day’.
PFI has formed district executive committees in countries like the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia. Arrest of top PFI terrorists revealed that many of them, like OMA Salam, were on the Kerala government payroll.