The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday arrested two persons in a crackdown on the proscribed Communist outfit People’s Liberation Front of India (PLFI) in Jharkhand, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and New Delhi.

Raman Kumar Sonu alias “Sonu Pandit” of Bihar and Nivesh Kumar of south-west district of Delhi were arrested during the raids.

An Indian Army uniform, along with arms, ammunition, incriminating documents, and electronic devices, Rs 3 lakh in cash and jewellery were seized during the raids at 23 locations, mostly in Jharkhand, in a case of extortion and levy collection by the terror group, the NIA said.

The people targeted during the crackdown were all cadres and sympathizers of PLFI, a banned terror organization, the NIA said, adding they were involved in a conspiracy to carry out violent acts and commit terror activities.

The NIA said the arrested accused were named in an FIR registered by the agency this year. The NIA registered the case suo motu on October 11 under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, following information about financing of terrorist activities through extortion by PLFI cadres.

“The investigations so far have revealed that cadres of the banned organization were involved in generating funds through extortion from various coal traders, transporters, railway contractors and businessmen in Jharkhand, Bihar, Chhattisgarh and Odisha. They were also conspiring to commit various terror activities, including attacks on the security forces, murder, arson, and use of explosives/IEDs to create terror in the society,” the NIA said.