Suryaa National Desk: Protest by civil society as a conspiracy to suppress the anti-bauxite mining movement! Surya National & Legal Desk, Bhubaneswar: For bauxite mining projects in South Odisha... Protest by civil societies as a conspiracy to suppress the anti-bauxite mining movement! Surya National & Legal Desk, Bhubaneswar: Odisha police arrested Dr. Randall Sequeira, a prominent human rights activist, doctor and tribal rights movement leader Laxman Naik, who are fighting for the protection of tribal-dalit rights, against bauxite mining projects in southern Odisha amid dramatic developments at midnight.
Civil rights organizations and social activists across the country are expressing their anger at the fact that they were forcibly detained from the doctor's residence in Bhavanipatnam without any prior notice or arrest warrant. Midnight Arrest – Transfer to Raigad Jail: Police arrived at the residence of Dr. Randal Siqueira in Bhavanipatnam of Kalahandi district, seized the mobile phones of two activists and took them to the local town police station. Right to Food Campaign and other rights organizations have alleged that they were kept in police custody for the whole night without even being given a chance to contact their lawyers or family members. Later he was produced before the Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate of Rayagada and from there he was taken to Rayagada Sub Jail.
Allegations of involvement in old cases even though there are no names in the FIR: It is reported that these arrests were made on the pretext of an old case related to clashes between tribals and the police in Kanthamal area of Rayagada district in the month of April this year. However, the civil society has revealed with evidence that the names of the two were not mentioned in the original First Information Report (FIR) related to the incident and that the case was filed illegally under the pressure of the mining companies. The leaders are angry that this conspiracy is being done to silence the tribals who are strongly opposed to the mining projects in Sijimali forest areas for bauxite mining. Protest by academics and doctors across the country: The 'Medico Friend Circle' (MFC) along with the Odisha Citizens Committee has flagged that it is outrageous to see a renowned doctor and tribal movement leader who is working selflessly to bring medical services to the people in remote tribal areas as criminals. They demanded an end to the crackdown on those peacefully protesting for constitutional rights, immediate withdrawal of the cases against Randall Sequeira and Laxman Naik and their release.