GUWAHATI: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has welcomed the decision of the central government to ban the Popular Front of India (PFI).

The Centre has announced a ban on the PFI and its affiliate organisations for a period of five years.

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Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma tweeted: โ€œI welcome the ban on (Popular Front of India) PFI by the Government of India. The Government is firm in its resolve to ensure that anyone with a diabolical, divisive or disruptive design against India shall be dealt with iron fist. India of Modi Era is Decisive & Bold.โ€

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The Centre has imposed a ban of the Popular Front of India (PFI) declaring it to be an โ€œunlawful organizationโ€ under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

The decision came after several nationwide raids and arrest of over 240 people connected to the PFI.

Apart from terming it an โ€œunlawful organizationโ€, the Centre said that the PFI has links with Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), Jamat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) and Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

The notification further stated that the PFI had been involved in unlawful activities, which are โ€œprejudicial to the integrity, sovereignty and security of the countryโ€, and that they have the potential to disturb public peace and communal harmony.

The notification added, โ€œPFI and its associates or affiliates or fronts operate openly as a socio-economic, educational and political organisation but, they have been pursuing a secret agenda to radicalise a particular section of the society.โ€