Current Affairs search results for: "NIA raid on Popular Front of India was code named “ Operation Octopus” "

1. NIA nationwide raid on Popular Front of India was code named “Operation Octopus”

Tags: National

The nationwide crackdown on the premises of the Popular Front of India (PFI) carried out by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Enforcement Directorate on 22 September was code named ‘Operation Octopus” by NIA.

The raid in 11 states led to the arrest of more than 100 PFI members and leaders across the country.

The NIA has claimed that the accused were organising camps for imparting training to commit violent and terrorist acts with the objective of promoting enmity between different groups on the basis of religion.

IMPORTANT FACTS -

Popular front of India :

• It was formed in 2006. It describes itself “as a non-governmental social organisation whose stated objective is to work for the poor and disadvantaged people in the country and to oppose oppression and exploitation".
• At present, the PFI, which has a strong presence in Kerala and Karnataka, is active in more than 20 Indian states.
• The Government of India accuses the group of being an Islamic radical group which is engaged in terror activates.

National Investigation Agency (NIA) :

• It was set up by the government of India in 2009 under the National Investigation Agency Act 2008. It was set up after the terrorist attack in Mumbai on 26 November 2008. 
• It is the premier counter - terrorist agency in India.
• It comes under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs 
• The NIA has powers to take suo moto cognisance of terror activities in any part of India and register a case, to enter any state without permission from the state government, and to investigate and arrest people.
• Director General: Dinkar Gupta

The first Director General of NIA was Radha Vinod Raju