Rijas M Sheeba Siddique, an activist associated with the CPI(ML) linked Democratic Students Association (DSA), has been arrested for criticising Operation Sindoor on social media. Reports say that the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), along with the Nagpur Police and Intelligence Bureau (IB), is treating the case as one involving ‘urban Naxal’ and ‘ISI’ links.
A search was conducted at Rijas’ residence in Elamakkara, Keerthy Nagar, Kochi on Sunday night. The operation, which began at 8 p.m., lasted for several hours. During the search, digital devices including pen drives and mobile phones were seized, along with books, notably one by Karl Marx and another titled Criticizing Brahmanism. The Maharashtra ATS has reportedly collected significant digital evidence, which is currently undergoing forensic examination.
The search also extended to details of cases previously registered against Rijas by the Kochi Police. In late April, Rijas was among ten individuals booked for protesting in Panampilly Nagar, Kochi against the demolition of houses in Kashmir without police permission. The authorities have reportedly linked these activities to possible connections with banned organisations, including the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front and the CPI-Maoist.
Reports say and investigators have also claimed that Rijas was in touch with Maoist leader Kannan Murali and had made several social media posts supporting jailed professor GN Saibaba. Moreover, police suspect that Rijas may have been contacted via a mobile number based in the United Kingdom, raising suspicions of possible links to the ISI.
The investigation team, which also questioned Rijas’ family during the search, believes that further details from the seized digital evidence could pose a serious challenge to the activist. Rijas, who was arrested from a hotel in Nagpur along with a friend after attending an event in Delhi, has been charged with serious offences including waging war against the state and inciting riots. His friend was later released.
Rijas is currently in Maharashtra Police custody and has been remanded until the 13th of this month. Authorities have also cited previous cases, including one registered by the Ernakulam South Police for obstructing the road during an attempted anti-war rally in Kochi following the Pahalgam terror attack. Another case was filed based on a report by Rijas alleging the unjust detention of Muslim youth in connection with the Kalamassery blast. Rijas is known to be closely associated with Siddique Kappan, a journalist, who was previously arrested under the UAPA in connection with the Hathras case. Rijas conducted an interview with him for Jamaat linked Maktoob Media titled ‘Siddique Kappan Q&A: Press Freedom, State Violence, Current Politics of India’. Maktoob’s X account has recently been blocked by the government of India for propagating contet against Operation Sindoor. As the probe deepens, officials have indicated that more information may surface once the forensic analysis of the seized materials is complete.
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