NIA INVESTIGATES IN OUTFIT OVER ‘LINKS WITH IS’

NEW DELHI: NIA has launched an investigation against members of Tamil Nadu-based organisation MNP, which merged with PFI in 2006, for allegedly” trying to float “anti-national organisations and having links with IS. The anti-terror probe agency’s move came on the directions of the Centre after one Sathik Batcha, a resident of Needur in Tamil Nadu, and four of his associates were arrested in February this year, officials familiar with the matter said.

Batcha, also known as Saddiq Basha, is a covert sympathiser of the IS ideology and was allegedly actively involved in various antinational activities. He and his associates – Mohammed Ashiq, Mohammad Irfan, Jagabar Ali and Rahmath, all from Tamil Nadu, were travelling in a vehicle along Needur main road on February 21 when they were stopped by police. Basha, who was carrying an air pistol, threatened to shoot but was eventually overpowered and arrested along with his aides, the officials added.