2 held in NIA crackdown on PLFI in four states

“The people targeted during the crackdown were all cadres and sympathisers of PLFI, a banned terror organisation,” the official said, adding they were involved in a conspiracy to carry out violent acts and commit terror activities. Of the locations raided, 19 are in Jharkhand — Gumla, Ranchi, Khunti, Simdega, Palamu and West Singhbhum districts — two in New Delhi and one each in Bihar’s Patna and Madhya Pradesh’s Siddhi districts,” the spokesperson said.

According to the NIA, the arrested accused were named in an FIR registered by the NIA this year.

“The NIA registered the case suo motu on October 11 under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), following information about financing of terrorist activities through extortion by PLFI cadres,” the spokesperson said.

“Investigations so far have revealed that cadres of the banned organisation were involved in generating funds through extortion from various coal traders, transporters, railway contractors and businessmen in Jharkhand, Bihar, Chhattisgarh and Odisha. They were also conspiring to commit various terror activities, including attacks on the security forces, murder and arson,” the spokesperson said.