Post against Operation Sindoor: Report that Kerala journalist Rejaz M Siddique arrested in Nagpur protested against demolition of terrorists' houses

KOCHI: Rejaz M Siddique, (26), a native of Edappally Keerthi Nagar, who was arrested by the Nagpur Lakdganj police in a case of posting on Instagram insulting Operation Sindoor, was someone under the surveillance of the state and central intelligence agencies.

Rejaz had led a protest demonstration near Panampally Nagar Centre Park on the 29th of last month against the demolition of the houses of those who carried out terrorist attacks in Kashmir. Eight people, including him, were arrested by the Ernakulam South police in the incident and later released on bail. The case was for obstructing a public road and unlawful assembly.

The police initially received information that Rejaz was a supporter of the banned organization CPI (Maoist). He had come to the demonstration in Kochi as an online journalist. The police received information that his companions were also online journalists. However, neither he nor his companions had any identity cards or documents to prove this. The intelligence department received information that Rejaz was arrested in Nagpur while it was being investigated whether he had links with extremist organisations.

Seven people, including a Bihar native and three women, were protesting with Rejaz in Kochi against the demolition of the terrorists' house. Chottanikkara native KK Unni (30), Aurangabad native Shadman (31), Kuttiyadi native Ashfaq (32), Idukki native Daniel Jose (24), Idukki Vellathooval native Aathira Venu (29), Malappuram native Fathima Nida (24), and Idukki native Preethison (25) were arrested along with Rejaz. It is reported that the woman who was arrested with him in Nagpur was not present at the protest in Kochi. The Central Intelligence Agency has also started an investigation into the matter.