Thiruvananthapuram: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) raided the residences of several leaders belonging to the Popular Front of India (PFI) in Kerala on Thursday.

The crackdown happened in 56 places across the state in the wee hours of Thursday.

It is suspected that the outfit continued its operations clandestinely despite the Centre's ban. The outfit summoned a meeting at Periyar Valley in Ernakulam among other places, the NIA said. Meetings were also held in other districts which were PFI strongholds.

Raids were held in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Wayanad and Malappuram districts. 

The agency conducted raids at 8 places in Ernakulam, 4 places each in Alappuzha and Malappuram, and 3 places in Thiruvananthapuram.

Raids were held in Nedumangad, Thonnakkal, Pallichal of Thiruvananthapuram, and Kuttikattor and Nadapuram of Kozhikode district. The inspections were led by DySP RK Pandey in Vithura.

Raids were also conducted in Chinthoor, Vandanam, Veeyapuram, Ochira in Alappuzha, and Edavanad, Aluva, and Vypin areas in Ernakulam district. Officials also arrived at residences of PFI members in Erattuppetta and Kanjirapally of Kottayam.

Mananthavady, Thazhayangady, Peechangodu, Tharuvana, Kambalakkad, Bathery in Wayanad also witnessed raids.

The house of former PFI state committee member Nissar was also raided. A bag and several phones were seized from here.

Mobile phones were also confiscated from former PFI district president's residence. A raid was also held at the residence of former national president OMA Salam's brother.

'Several leaders were under the agency's observation for the past months. Further proceedings like arrests will be undertaken only after detailed investigation,' the NIA said. 

On September 2022, the Centre had banned PFI for five years under the stringent anti-terror law UAPA, accusing the Islamic outfit of having 'links' with global terror groups such as the ISIS and trying to spread communal hatred in the country. The ban came into force after a nationwide crackdown on the outfit earlier.

The PFI's eight associates--Rehab India Foundation, Campus Front of India, All India Imams Council, National Confederation of Human Rights Organisation, National Women's Front, Junior Front, Empower India Foundation and Rehab Foundation, Kerala -- were also placed in the list of the organisations outlawed under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), according to a gazette notification.

After the order was issued, the state government sealed offices of PFI and its associates or affiliates or fronts in Kerala, and their bank accounts were frozen.

Raid info leaked in Pathanamthitta? 
Meanwhile, NIA suspects the information on raids was leaked, resulting in PFI's former regional secretary Muhammad Rashid escaping. The anti-terror agency feels the leak happened at Pathanamthitta. 

NIA has seized bags and phones from the home of PFI former State Secretary Nizar. In Kollam too, phones were seized from the home of the former district president. In Malappuram, there were raids in the home of the former National President OMA Salam's brother.