First published on September 23, 2022, 6:33 AM IST
Thiruvananthapuram: The hartal was called by the Popular Front of India in the state to protest the arrest of national and state leaders and continued till 6 pm. Currently, no incidents of violence including vehicle blocking have been reported anywhere. KSRTC runs the service. Private vehicles and cargo vehicles are on the road. But in some areas, private buses do not operate. In Kattakada, hartal supporters blocked buses inside the KSRTC stand. SDPI activists have also blocked buses in front of Kattakkada bus stand and bus station. More police arrived and started trying to move them
The hartal in Kerala is protesting the NIA raid on popular front offices and houses of leaders across the country. The biggest operation since the formation of NIA was conducted in the country last day. More than 150 Popular Front leaders from 11 states were taken into custody by the NIA. So far 45 people have been arrested.
At the same time, the police have made strict security arrangements for the hartal announced by the Popular Front. State police chief Anil Kant has directed all district police chiefs to take necessary steps to maintain law and order. Criminals, rapists and those who forcibly close shops will be booked and arrested immediately. The police will ensure that protesters do not gather in public places. Temporary detention is also prescribed if necessary. The entire state police force has been deployed for the law and order bridge. Range DIGs, Zonal IGs and ADGP of the law and order department are responsible for overseeing the security arrangements under the control of Regional Chief Police Officers.
The state wing of the Popular Front of India claimed that the NIA’s wrongful arrests of state and national leaders were part of state terrorism. PFI General Secretary A Abdul Sattar said today’s hartal is against the RSS-controlled fascist state’s hunt to silence dissenting voices using central agencies.
The NIA raided the offices of the Popular Front and houses of leaders in different states in a case registered in Delhi, stating that they had taken action against the country. 19 people have been arrested in two cases in Kerala alone. Eleven people were arrested in Tamil Nadu, seven in Karnataka, four in Andhra and two in Rajasthan. More arrests were made in Kerala. Some of those arrested in Kerala were brought to Delhi.
Eighteen national state leaders of the Popular Front were arrested from Kochi. Senior leaders including National Secretary Nasruddin Elamaram were arrested. 10 people were arrested by NIA Kochi unit. They will be produced before the NIA court in Kochi. Many people were taken into custody during the checks conducted in Kerala today, but this is the first time an arrest has been recorded.
OMA Salam National President (Malappuram), Sainuddin Idukki District Secretary, Nasruddin Elamaram National Secretary (Vazhakkad), Muhammad Basheer State President, (Thiruvananthapuram), Sadiq Muhammad Pathanamthitta District Secretary, Najimuddin Mundakkayam, P Koya Kozhikode, Abdul Rahman Kalamassery National Vice President , Muhammadali Jinnah, a native of Tamil Nadu, and Muhammad Shahid of Kottayam were captured.
Last day, raids were carried out in about 70 centers including popular front offices and houses of state leaders. This is the first time that the NIA has conducted such a large simultaneous search in the state. The raid started around 3.30 am by using the central forces. The national chairman of the Popular Front, OMA Salam, was taken into custody from his house in Manjeri and the state president CP Muhammad Basheer from Tirunawa. The NIA says the Popular Fund workers arrested in the state helped IS activities. The NIA told the court that the accused is involved in the crime of aiding and abetting IS activities and conspiring to carry out anti-national activities.
NIA says ‘Popular Front helps ISIS’, has conspired for anti-national activities
Last Updated September 23, 2022, 6:36 AM IST
