Business · India Bureau
Odisha mining protesters appeal to Governor after activist arrests
Civil society groups have petitioned Odisha's Governor seeking intervention in the detention of two anti-mining activists arrested in the bauxite-rich Bhabanipatna region. The arrests are linked to ongoing resistance against proposed mining operations in the area.
LSN India ·
Activists and civil society organizations in Odisha have escalated their campaign for the release of two detained protesters, Randall Sequeira and Laxman Naik, who were arrested in Bhabanipatna amid the intensifying struggle against bauxite mining expansion in the region.
Both men had been active in mobilizing community opposition to the Sijimali bauxite mining project, which has faced sustained local resistance over environmental and livelihood concerns. Their arrest has drawn sharp criticism from advocacy groups working on mining and environmental issues in the state.
Civil society representatives have now appealed to the state Governor to intervene in the matter and secure the activists' release. The move reflects broader tensions between industrial development plans and grassroots environmental activism in Odisha's mineral-rich districts.
The Bhabanipatna region has emerged as a flashpoint in debates over resource extraction and community rights, with mining proposals generating significant opposition from local residents concerned about ecological impact and displacement.
The detentions have reignited scrutiny of police handling of anti-mining protests in the state, adding pressure on authorities to clarify charges and the legal basis for the arrests.