Lucknow, December 31: Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police Om Prakash Singh has written a letter to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), seeking a ban on the Popular Front of India or PFI. In his letter to the MHA, DGP OP Singh alleged that members of the PFI were involved in "violent protests" against the Citizenship Amendment Act that took place in parts of Uttar Pradesh on December 19. Why Citizenship Amendment Act+NRC Raise Fear And Concerns: A Multi-Dimensional Take.

DGP Singh's letter has come to the fore a day after he told news agency IANS that police had obtained "solid evidence" against the PFI. "We arrested as many as 23 PFI activists from various violence-hit areas and this makes clear who was the primary instigator. We have got significant information from the arrested PFI members but cannot disclose it at this point in time. Much of this information is shocking and destabilising," he said. CAA Passage Jolts Northeast: Why Assam and Neighbouring States Are Up in Protest Against Citizenship Amendment Bill.

According to UP police, two people arrested in connection with violence in Meerut were active members of the PFI. However, the PFI has dismissed the allegations. "The government can say whatever it wants. We dismiss these allegations," a PFI member was quoted by IANS as saying. When asked about the possible ban of PFI, the group's member said, "First, the government should have evidence against us."

Uttar Pradesh has the largest Muslim population in India, and understandably the CAA has stoked fears in the community, leading to widespread protests in several parts of the state. The violence saw clashes between protesters and armed police personnel. At least 18 people have been killed so far in the violence.

The CAA grants citizenship to six persecuted minorities in neighbouring countries Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. The Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) was steered through both Houses of Parliament by the BJP-led government before it finally became law.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 31, 2019 11:35 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).