Shivamogga clash: PFI office-bearers held, but George not for ban on outfit

Police have arrested the organisers of the Popular Front of India (PFI) convention and unity march in connection with the communal clash that resulted in the death of a man here on February 19.

M Nanjundaswamy, IGP, Eastern Range, said four office-bearers of the PFI’s district unit had been arrested and remanded in judicial custody. They are Shahid Khan, 32, president, Mohammed Jilan Khan, 26, general secretary, Naseer Ahmed, 43, secretary, and Syed Mohammed, a member.

He claimed the four men had played a vital role in organising the PFI event. Cases of attempt to murder, unlawful assembly and rioting were registered against them. The number of arrests in the case has reached 186. More arrests are likely, he added.

Nanjundaswamy said the organisers had obtained permission from the authorities concerned, but since the event snowballed into a communal clash, they had been arrested. If need be, the PFI’s national office-bearers may be arrested soon.

In Bengaluru, Home Minister K J George said banning the PFI was not the solution as that would lead to a demand for banning other such organisations. The government had suggested the Centre amend the existing laws to pave way for more stringent punishment to perpetrators of communal crimes. High conviction rate would deter people from taking to crimes, he said.