Swift police action after mother’s social media post leads to safe recovery in Narmada district
In a prompt rescue operation triggered by a social media alert, Gujarat Police on Sunday rescued five Parul University students who lost their way while trekking near Tungai Hill Station in Narmada district.
The incident came to light after Subhashini, the mother of one of the students, posted on X (formerly Twitter), seeking help for her son and his four friends who were stranded. Acting swiftly, the GP-SMASH team (Gujarat Police – Social Media Monitoring, Awareness, and Systematic Handling) traced their location and coordinated with Narmada Police to launch a rescue mission.
Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghvi responded to the alert, while State Police Chief Vikas Sahay directed local police and forest officials to ensure the students’ safe recovery.
According to a media report, the group had visited the Statue of Unity around 10:30 am and later trekked to Tungai Hill Station after leaving their bikes at Bhangara Faliya village. They lost their way while returning around 2:30 pm.
The rescued students — Hitesh Penmusu (22), Himatej Swami, Vikiyat Chiliyala (21), Likhit Meka (22), and Sushil Bhandaru (20) — all residents of Madhavpura in Vadodara, were found by police and forest officials around 4:30 pm and brought down safely.