One more PFI leader nabbed in Assam, takes total arrests to 11

According to a statement issued by Assam Police, the PFI leaders were arrested as there is reliable information that they were making all out efforts to foment communal strife throughout the state

Published on: Sep 23, 2022, 20:02:25 IST

By Utpal Parashar

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Police in Assam have arrested one more leader linked to the Popular Front of India (PFI) early on Friday morning, taking the total number of arrests since Thursday to 11.

NIA headquarters at CGO Complex in New Delhi. (Vipin Kumar/ HT File Photo)

The special branch nabbed Dr Minarul Sheikh from Guwahati around 12:30 am. Sheikh is the West Bengal unit president of the organisation, according to a police release.

On Thursday, the police arrested 10 PFI leaders, namely Aminul Hoque, Abdul Razzak, Robiul Hussain, Nazrul Islam Bhuyan, Rafiqul Islam, Abu Sama Ahmed, Farhad Ali, Khalilur Rahman, Mufti Rahmatullah and Bazlul Karim.

While Hoque is the northeast regional secretary of PFI, Abu Sama Ahmed is the organisation’s Assam unit president and Robiul Hussain the state unit general secretary. Those arrested also include Rafiqul Islam and Mufti Rahmatullah, district unit presidents of PFI’s Nagaon and Barpeta units.

Also Read:NIA, Assam Police arrest 10 PFI leaders across state

A case against all 11 leaders have been registered by the special branch of Assam Police and they have been charged under sections 120-B, 124-A, 153-A and 353 of Indian Penal Code for criminal conspiracy, sedition, promoting enmity between different groups and assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of duty.

According to a statement issued by Assam Police, these leaders were arrested as there is reliable information that they were making all out efforts to foment communal strife throughout the state.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Utpal Parashar
A seasoned senior journalist, I have nearly three decades of experience across print, digital, and online platforms, covering political transitions, insurgencies, environmental issues, and development stories in India and Nepal. I am skilled in breaking news, leading editorial teams and launch of newspaper editions. I am adept at leveraging digital trends and social media to expand global reach, with a strong ethical foundation and a reputation for impactful journalism. An alumnus of Asian College of Journalism, I joined Hindustan Times in New Delhi as a trainee reporter in May 1997. Over the years, I have been posted in Dehradun, Kathmandu (Nepal) and Guwahati. Currently, as Senior Assistant Editor at Hindustan Times, I lead a team reporting on India’s northeastern states. My work involves in-depth analysis, and engaging multimedia storytelling across formats, including text, photo, video, and interactive content. I am skilled in producing timely, shareable content, leveraging digital platforms and social media to engage global audiences. Throughout my career with the Hindustan Times, I have led diverse editorial teams, designed capacity-building activities, and supported reporters in developing strong story ideas, ethical reporting practices, digital skills, and fact-checking techniques. As Senior Assistant Editor for Northeast India, I have been responsible for guiding correspondents through complex political, humanitarian, and community-level stories using multimedia formats. Earlier, as Foreign Correspondent in Nepal, I produced extensive reporting during Nepal’s democratic transition and the 2015 earthquake and its aftermath.Read More

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