Expressing displeasure at the widespread violence across the state as part of the hartal, the Kerala High Court on Friday initiated a suo motu case against the leaders of the Popular Front of India (PFI) for calling flash hartal which was banned by the court.
The court directed the state government to take strict action against those who violated its order while observing that the destruction of public property is unacceptable. The Kerala High Court had in a January 2019 order said that nobody can call for a bandh in the state without prior notice of seven days.
The court also observed that immediate action should be taken on incidents of violence in the state.
The hartal was called by the PFI to protest against the raids in the offices and residences of its leaders and their subsequent arrests on Thursday by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and other agencies for allegedly supporting terror activities in the country. It started at 6 am and will continue for 12 hours till 6 pm.
Sporadic incidents of violence, including stone pelting, were reported since Friday morning in various parts of Kerala as the dawn-to-dusk hartal called by PFI was underway. Two police officers were earlier today injured in Kollam after allegedly being attacked by PFI supporters.
The NIA on Thursday morning raided the premises linked to PFI in several states. Over 100 top PFI leaders and functionaries have been arrested during raids in 10 states, including Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.
The raids were carried out by the NIA, the Enforcement Directorate (ED), and state police in a coordinated move. The group had called for a dawn-to-dusk hartal in Kerala on Friday to mark their protest.
In what is believed to be the "largest ever" crackdown to date, raids and searches are being carried out against those allegedly involved in terror funding, organizing training camps, and radicalizing others to join extremist groups. 22 people were arrested in Kerala -- the most among all states.
Formed in 2006, the PFI claims to work for the empowerment of marginalized sections of India. Law enforcement agencies say it is promoting radical Islam.