State Government on Tuesday re-imposed ban on Popular Front of India few months after the Jharkhand High Court had revoked ban on the organisation. A notification issued by the Home department declared the PFI illegal under Criminal Law Amendment Act 1908 barring membership, donation and publication of any extremism related text by the organisation.
Earlier, in early 2018 the Government had banned the organisation calling its activities unlawful. However, the Jharkhand High Court in August 2018 had revoked ban from the organisation saying that due procedures were not followed for banning it.
The five-page notification issued by the Government states in detail that PFI has been engaged in radical activities in Jharkhand and neighbouring states. It says that the PFI has been engaged in anti-national activities aimed at disturbing the peace and secular fabric of nation.
The notification further says that the organisation has connections with terrorist and extremist outfits such as ISIS, KMB etc. Giving details of cases lodged in several police stations and intelligence gathered the Government has stated that PFI in Jharkhand has strong connections with its branches in other states that are a threat to peace and solidarity in the country.
The notification thus states that in the light of the activities of the organisation it is utmost important to declare PFI an unlawful organisation.