In a major development, Mangaluru City Police have arrested a Muslim cleric from Kadaba for allegedly promoting the banned extremist organization Popular Front of India (PFI) and attempting to revive its activities through social media.
The arrested cleric has been identified as Syed Ibrahim Thangal, a native of Kadaba in Dakshina Kannada district. According to police sources, Thangal had been in contact with underground members of PFI and was actively involved in spreading propaganda about the organization through various social media platforms.
Investigations revealed that Thangal had created a WhatsApp group named “Salaman Salama”, where he reportedly shared messages glorifying the banned outfit and coordinated with absconding PFI operatives. Through this online network, he allegedly attempted to motivate members to regroup and restart PFI’s underground activities.
Based on credible intelligence, the Mangaluru police detained Thangal near Urwa Store, seizing his mobile phone for digital forensic analysis. Following interrogation, he was produced before the Special NIA Court, which remanded him to judicial custody until October 24, 2025.
Police officials stated that the cleric’s digital footprints and chat records indicate attempts to reconnect and reorganize banned cadres, an act considered a serious violation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Authorities are also investigating whether Thangal received external funding or ideological support from overseas handlers or former PFI members still at large.
PFI and its background
The Popular Front of India (PFI) was formed in 2006, originally claiming to work for the social, educational, and economic upliftment of Muslims and other marginalized groups. However, over time, it was accused of engaging in radicalization, violent activities, and anti-national propaganda.
In September 2022, the Government of India banned the PFI and its affiliates for five years, citing their involvement in terror funding, communal violence, and attempts to destabilize the nation’s unity and integrity. The organization was linked to several violent incidents, including the brutal killing of BJP Yuva Morcha leader Praveen Nettaru in Karnataka’s Dakshina Kannada district on July 26, 2022, which drew nationwide outrage.
Following the ban, multiple PFI leaders and activists were arrested across India in joint operations by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Enforcement Directorate (ED), and local police forces. Despite the crackdown, intelligence reports suggested that some members had gone underground and were trying to revive the outfit through digital and covert networks.
A continuing threat
Officials in Mangaluru Police said that the arrest of Thangal is a warning signal that remnants of PFI networks are attempting to resurface in coastal Karnataka. The region has previously witnessed several communal flashpoints linked to radical elements.
“Efforts are being made to track digital communication between local sympathizers and underground operatives. The accused has admitted to being in touch with certain individuals suspected to be hiding in Kerala and Maharashtra,” a senior official revealed.
Cybercrime experts and intelligence units are currently scanning Thangal’s seized devices for evidence of financial transactions, encrypted messages, or foreign communication links that could expose a larger network.
This arrest underscores the continued vigilance of security agencies against the re-emergence of banned organizations under new guises. It also highlights the growing misuse of social media platforms to propagate extremist ideologies and recruit sympathizers.
Police have urged citizens to report suspicious online activity promoting banned organizations and warned of stringent legal consequences for anyone aiding or abetting such movements. As of now, further investigations are underway to identify other individuals associated with the “Salaman Salama” group and trace the digital footprint of the wider conspiracy.
With the PFI ban still in effect, this arrest reinforces the government’s firm stance that attempts to revive proscribed groups will face severe legal action, ensuring that the nation’s internal security remains uncompromised.
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