The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted simultaneous raids at the premises of Popular Front of India (PFI) chairman OM Abdul Salam and its National Secretary Nasaruddin Elamaram today. Reportedly, ED officials are also searching Karama Ashraf Moulavi’s house at Poonthura in Thiruvananthapuram. Many PFI activists have gathered near Moulavi’s house to witness the search operation.
Besides, the search happening at Salam’s house in Manjeri and Nasaruddin’s house in Vazhakkad is continuing even after two and a half hours. It is learnt that the officials have seized a laptop and pen drive from Nasaruddin’s home.
The search operations are happening in Malappuram, Ernakulam and Thiruvananthapuram districts. According to reports, raids are also being carried out in houses of PFI leaders in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The PFI state committee office in Meenchanda of Kozhikode was also raided. The central agency is reportedly investigating PFI’s alleged links based on charges of fuelling the anti-Citizenship Amendment Act and other instances in the country.
Earlier, there were reports that the officials recorded the statement of Salam — a senior assistant in Kerala State Electricity Board. However, he has dismissed any wrongdoings in these instances. In 2006, the PFI was formed as a successor to the National Democratic Front (NDF) in Kerala. The officials are yet to disclose more details regarding the raid.
