Tribal rights doctor arrested in Odisha; Congress alleges anti-mining crackdown

Randall Sequeira, a doctor who relocated to Odisha to provide healthcare services to tribal populations, and activist Laxman Naik were taken into custody on the night of October 16, according to reports from the state capital. Sequeira had built a reputation for his medical work in tribal-dominated regions and his advocacy for indigenous rights.

The arrests have drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties, particularly the Congress, which characterised the police action as an attempt to silence dissent against mining operations in the mineral-rich state. The party alleged that the detentions were part of a systematic campaign to curtail protests against resource extraction activities that affect tribal communities.

Sequeira's arrest marks the latest in a series of apprehensions of activists and civil society members engaged in anti-mining advocacy across Odisha. The state, home to significant mineral reserves, has witnessed recurring tensions between industrial interests, environmental groups, and tribal populations over land use and resource rights.

Details regarding the specific charges against the two men and the circumstances leading to their arrest remained unclear at the time of reporting. The incidents underscore the ongoing friction between state authorities and those challenging mining expansion in tribal areas.