'PFI used martial arts as cover for arms training'

THE National Investigation Agency (NIA) has submitted before the Ernakulam special court that the banned Popular Front of India (PFI), through its arms training wing, prepared instructors to impart uniform physical and arms training under a common syllabus with a set course to its cadres at various stages.

- P RAMDAS @ Kochi

These activities were allegedly carried out under the guise of yoga training, rescue and relief activities, martial arts, and other physical development programmes.

According to the NIA, the PFI devised the programme to filter cadres through various stages and provided arms and explosives training to selected members through these stages.

The organisation allegedly used its various facilities and affiliated institutions, including those run in the name of 'trusts', as well as other locations, to conduct such training camps and secret meetings.