1400 criminal cases against PFI cadres across the country: Govt

New Delhi: The government on Wednesday said over 1400 criminal cases had been registered against cadres of the PFI and its affiliates across the country. 

The PFI cadres have been charged under the UAPA, the Explosive Substances Act, the Arms Act and other sections of the IPC. 

Officials said the PFI covertly organises training exercises, military-like drills, wherein participants are trained to use criminal force and violence against certain religious groups, which are perceived as enemies of Islam. Since its inception, resistance against Hindu organisations and leaders remains the main plank on the agenda of the PFI. 

The outfit has a secretive hit squad that engage in targeted killing of Hindu activists and those allegedly indulging in blasphemy.

Investigators have found that in their oath of allegiance, the PFI cadres swear to sacrifice themselves for the creation of Allah’s rule (Shariah) and for the interest of the organisation. 

“This oath was administered only when the cadre was judged suitably radicalised for the outfit. PFI recruits were radicalised by the display of selective video clippings on emotive issues like the Babri Masjid demolition, and communal riots in Gujarat and other parts of the country, aimed at instilling a sense of ‘Muslim persecution’ and distrust against the State as well as other communities,” said a government document. 
 
More radicalised and suitable cadres were selected for advance modules like riot courses, weapon handling, etc., and form part of ‘Hit Squads’ or ‘Service Teams’ maintained by the organization. 

During interrogation by the Enforcement Directorate (December 2020), Rauf Sharief (former General Secretary, Campus Front of India, the student wing of the PFI), had revealed that the outfit runs a secret relief wing, which actually plans and executes revenge attacks on selected RSS leaders.
 
Officials added that the PFI had been running a Physical Education department to train selected cadres, who provide security to its leaders and some of them are also included in the hit squad. Identified cadres are motivated to undergo training ranging from defensive techniques, counter-attacks, use of swords, knives and crude bombs.