PFI Accused Of Criminal Conspiracy, Arms Training, And Promoting Communalism

PFI accused of criminal conspiracy, arms training, and promoting communalism: NIA filed a charge sheet.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday filed a charge sheet against two accused after completing the major part of the investigation in the case related to the activities of the Popular Front of India (PFI) and the schedule of violent extremism in Rajasthan.

Muslim youths were recruited for violent incidents.

Mohammad Asif alias Asif of Kota and Sadiq Saraf of Baran, Rajasthan have been charged under sections 120B, 153A of IPC, and sections 13, 17, 18, 18A, and 18B of UAPA.

The accused are trained members of PFI. They used to recruit influential Muslim youths for PFI to carry out violent incidents.

Muslim youths were radicalized.

The NIA said that the accused radicalized the gullible Muslim youth by making them believe that Islam was under threat in India and therefore made themselves available to the Popular Front of India cadres and community to protect Islam and establish Islamic rule in India by 2047.

It was necessary to train in the use of weapons.

NIA filed a case against PFI in 2002.

The NIA registered a case against the Popular Front of India in September 2002. PFI is accused of giving arms training. On Monday, the NIA filed the first charge sheet in the case.

This charge sheet has been filed against the criminal conspiracy.

India is still the largest importer of arms, China is among the top five importers and exporters.

India remains the world’s largest arms importer. However, between 2013-2017 and 2018-22, India’s arms imports fell by 11%.

This fact was revealed in a report released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) on Monday.

Complicated procurement process due to reduced imports.

According to the report, India’s reduction in arms imports is due to complex procurement processes, efforts to diversify weapons suppliers, and local designs to substitute imports.

Sipri said the top five arms importers in 2018-2022 were India, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Australia, and China. While the top five exporters are the United States, Russia, France, China, and Germany.

Pakistan was the eighth-largest arms importer in 2018-22. During this period, its importer grew by 14% and China was its main supplier.