NIA's Swift Action: Two Arrested in PLFI Extortion Case After 23 Raids Across Four State

In a decisive move, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) apprehended two individuals and confiscated an Indian Army uniform, alongside weapons and ammunition, in a crackdown spanning 23 locations across four states. The operation targeted individuals associated with the People's Liberation Front of India (PLFI), a banned terror organization notorious for extortion and levy collection activities.

Raman Kumar Sonu, also known as Sonu Pandit, hailing from Bihar, and Nivesh Kumar from the south-west district of Delhi were apprehended by NIA during the raids. The arrests are part of an ongoing investigation (RC-04/2023/NIA-RNC) into the extortion and levy collection activities orchestrated by PLFI leaders, cadres, and sympathizers in various states of India.

The raids were conducted in Jharkhand, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and New Delhi, encompassing 19 locations in Jharkhand (Gumla, Ranchi, Khunti, Simdega, Palamu, and West Singhbhum districts), one location each in Bihar (Patna district) and Madhya Pradesh (Siddhi district), and two locations in New Delhi.

The search operations resulted in the discovery of two pistols, live rounds (7.86 mm), ₹3,00,000 in cash, incriminating materials (including digital devices like mobile phones, SIM cards, pen drives, DVR), documents (diaries and a bunch of papers), and gold and silver jewelry. Notably, an Indian Army uniform was also seized during the raids.

NIA initiated the case suo moto on October 11, citing information about the financing of terrorist activities through extortion by PLFI cadres. Subsequent investigations have uncovered that the banned organization's members were involved in generating funds through extortion from coal traders, transporters, railway contractors, and businessmen in Jharkhand, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha.

The NIA stated, "They were also conspiring to commit various terrorist activities, including attacks on security forces, murder, arson, and the use of explosives and IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices) to create terror in society." Furthermore, the investigations revealed the involvement of PLFI cadres in recruitment, procurement of arms and ammunition, and the collection of levy.

"Investigations in the ongoing case have further revealed that the leaders, cadres, and sympathizers of PLFI were conspiring to revive and expand the organization in Jharkhand, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, and other PLFI-affected states," added the agency, underscoring the gravity of the situation and the need for swift action against the nefarious activities of the banned outfit.

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