Hundreds of tribals held a protest in southern Rayagada district in Odisha on Monday to demand the release of Dr Randall Sequeira and karate instructor Laxman Naik. The two were arrested in connection with clashes over Vedanta’s proposed bauxite mining project, with protesters alleging that the police action is aimed at suppressing local opposition to mining.
Sequeira faces charges including attempted murder, rioting and offences under the Arms Act, while multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) have been invoked in the case. “Both were arrested for their alleged involvement in threatening members of the public and other serious offences. “Dr RandallSequeira was not providing medical services to the people but was engaged in instigating tribals against the state government. She also alleged that she and her children had received death threats and that she was pressured to withdraw a police complaint. “He treated patients suffering from malaria, tuberculosis, fever and other ailments in areas where access to hospitals is very limited.
Sequeira has eight criminal cases registered against him, while Naik is named in 16 cases. Police said the two were arrested by Kalahandi police from a rented house in Bhawanipatna at 11pm on October 16 and handed over to Rayagada police. They were arrested in connection with clashes on April 6 and 7 in Kantamal village of Kashipur where activists held a protest against the construction of a road linked to the proposed Sijimali bauxite mine. DIG Singh said that the two men, accompanied by 25-30 people, had visited the home of two women in Kantamal who supported the mining project and threatened them to withdraw their support. During the Covid-19 pandemic, he and his associates provided medical assistance. Clashes between protesters and police in April left several people injured, including at least 40 police personnel, according to the document.
Police said the two are accused of violence, criminal intimidation and other offences. Both were produced before a court following their arrest and their bail pleas were rejected, after which they were sent to Rayagada sub-jail,” said Raj Prasad, Rayagada Superintendent of Police. Why would police arrest any innocent person, especially a doctor?” said Akhileswar Singh, South Western Range DIG. One of the women had complained that her family was confined in their house for three days and denied food and water, according to police. We believe he has been falsely implicated,” said Govind Naik, a resident of Sijimali village. “He had treated people injured during the police lathi-charge and the use of tear gas during the Sijimali agitation on April 6 and 7,” said Suna Majhi of Sarambai village. police said that the arrests were based on complaints and evidence of alleged criminal offences While activists have accused the administration of trying to silence the anti-mining movement.
