Cochin – The unlawful hartal called by the leaders of the Popular Front of India (PFI) turned violent wrecking mayhem across Kerala today. The hartal pursued the arrest of some of the leaders of the organisation and the remand report filed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) against PFI leaders for conspiring to establish a Caliphate rule in India.

The unlawful hartal organised by this organisation turned violent today as the members of the organisation went around damaging public and private properties, destroying State transport buses, creating blockade for general public and forcing to shut down open shops and hotels.

The Kerala state police have so far detained close to 200 of the organisations members for destroying public property, under non-bailable offence.

According to the report by the NIA in court, the organization, which has links with foreign terrorist organizations including ISIS, has encouraged the youth of the country to join terrorist organizations such as Al-Qaeda, Lashkar-e-Taiba and ISIS. A list targeting leaders across certain communities has also been recovered.

The report also pointed out that Popular Front has engaged in terrorist activities, misrepresented the policies of the government and has tried to spread hatred in the society. NIA cautioned at their widespread influence by unlawful hartal today organised by the leaders of this group in Kerala.

The alleged leaders used various social media platforms to exchange information secretly. Digital evidence including their mobile phone was seized in the raid. NIA also asked the court to examine its mirror images. The remand report also mentions that the high-level conspiracy will become clear with this. Various sections of UAPA and conspiracy section have been charged against the accused.

There are a total of 14 accused in the case, the first accused being the Popular Front organization itself. 13 others are activists including state leaders. The third accused in the case and state general secretary of the Popular Front, Abdul Sattar, and state secretary CA Rauf are yet to be arrested. They are the ones who called on the hartal, said NIA.