Will take stringent action against supporters of PFI: Min Araga Jnanendra

Bengaluru: State Home Minister Araga Jnanendra warned of stringent action against those who come in support of the recently banned organization, Popular Front of India (PFI).

Addressing the media on Thursday, September 29, he said, “The Central Government has banned PFI and its eight associates. If anyone attempts to protest in favour of PFI and create a law and order situation, we will not spare them. Protesters and supporters will have to face stringent legal action”.

Speaking about the security arrangements to avoid any untoward incidents, the minister said, “We have already taken precautionary measures in the sensitive areas of the state, as per the directions from the Centre. Battalions of the Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) and other such forces are deployed in various parts of the state”.

On questions regarding banning PFI’s political wing Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), he said, “To impose a ban, we need to collect concrete evidence. There are rules to be followed. If we receive evidence against SDPI proving its involvement in anti-social acts and terrorism, we will ban it. Currently, we have received enough evidence on PFI and hence the process of banning is initiated”.

Meanwhile, he also lambasted the Congress party for its ‘vote bank’ and ‘appeasement’ politics.