Radical group’s march banned in Kerala town
By IANSFriday, July 16, 2010
KOCHI - A march by radical Muslim group the Popular Front of India (PFI) Aug 15 has been banned by the authorities in Aluva town of Kerala’s Ernakulam district.
The ban order was signed by the Ernakulam additional district magistrate based on intelligence inputs warning of law and order problems if the march is allowed.
The PFI is scheduled to hold Freedom Marches on the Indian independence day in seven cities in the state. The ban covers only the march in Aluva.
In previous years, the PFI march attracted hundreds of its cadres. The group is influential in areas dominated by the Muslim community.
Seven PFI activists were arrested for allegedly chopping off the right palm of T.J. Joseph, a Malayalam professor at Thodupuzha New Man College, for preparing a question paper with derogatory references to the Prophet July 4.
Meanwhile, PFI general secretary T. Abdul Hameed said the group will take legal steps against the ban.
