Chhota Udepur: The local police have arrested a youth for allegedly posting a reel on Instagram in support of the dreaded Naxalite Madvi Hidma, who was killed last month by security forces.

A case has been registered against Pareshbhai Narsinghbhai Rathwa at Kwant Police Station under Sections 152, 192, 196(1)(a), 196(1)(b), 196(1)(d), and 196(1)(e) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. Rathwa, a resident of Abhayraj Colony, Kwant, shared an Instagram reel calling Hidma a ‘Martyr’ and ‘Freedom Fighter’, which went viral locally.

Chhota Udepur District Superintendent of Police, Imtiyaz Shaikh, stated that Rathwa had shared the reel praising Hidma as a freedom fighter and portraying tribal people as Naxals.

The post, considered capable of disturbing public peace and threatening national sovereignty, unity, and security, prompted the Chhota Udepur Police to launch a detailed investigation. The Special Operation Group (SOG) monitored Rathwa’s social media activity, collected evidence, and subsequently arrested him.

The District Police Chief further urged residents to exercise caution on social media. “In today’s era, where likes and followers often matter more than facts, one should avoid posting content that could violate the law. Always verify information before sharing or commenting,” he said.

According to his Instagram profile, Paresh Rathwa, a tea trader by profession, holds a BSc, BEd, MSc, and DMLT and is currently pursuing an LLB. DeshGujarat