'Pakistan Zindabad' slogans raised during PFI protest in Pune

Amid a massive crackdown on the Popular Front of India by the central investigation agencies, pro-Pakistan slogans were raised during a protest by the outfit in Pune on Friday.

According to reports, 'Pakistan Zindabad' slogans were heard outside the District Collector's Office in the city, where several PFI activists had gathered to protest against the operation led by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

Though some part of the slogans were faint due to high ambiance noise in the video clip that has surfaced on social media,  news agency ANI claimed that the information has been corroborated by the reporters at the spot.

Police have registered a case and arrested some of the PFI activists. 

"We have already registered a case against the PFI members for unlawful assembly and we are looking into the slogans matter," said Sagar Patil, Deputy Commissioner of Police.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde condemned the incident and said such actions will not be tolerated. "The police machinery will take appropriate action against them. Such slogans will not be tolerated in the land of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj," he said.

Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also condemned the incident. “If anyone has raised slogans of 'Pakistan Zindabad', we will not spare such people and action will be taken,” he said.

Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole demanded a ban on the extremist organisation and said a probe should be ordered to ascertain if organisations like PFI get political support to create a Hindu-Muslim divide. 

"I condemn the raising of pro-Pakistan slogans in Pune. Divisive and communal organisations should be banned. The Congress wants peace and such tendencies to create a divide should be stopped," he said.

The central agencies, led by the NIA and the Enforcement Directorate, had conducted nation-wide raids at the PFI offices and houses of its leaders. At least 106 office bearers of the organisation have been arrested during the raids which also led to seizure of several “incriminating documents”.