Doctor moved to Odisha to treat Adivasis, now behind bars for anti-mining protests

After completing his medical education, Randall Sequeira chose a unique path by relocating to Odisha’s Kalahandi district, where accessing basic healthcare proved challenging for many tribal communities. Alongside his mission to enhance healthcare access, Sequeira, like several activists, vocally opposed bauxite mining in the region.

In the early hours of October 16, Sequeira and fellow anti-mining activist Laxman Naik were apprehended by the Kalahandi police from Sequeira’s residence in Bhawanipatna. The officers subsequently handed them over to the Rayagada police, who are currently holding Sequeira in custody, facing multiple charges including attempt to murder, rioting, and possession of firearms.

According to Inspector General of the southwest range, Akhileshvar Singh, the arrests were made to uphold law and order in the area. Singh stated that Sequeira and Naik faced several serious charges and were accused of inciting false allegations against the state government. Two tribal women also accused him of instigating them.

While not named in the first instance, police reported establishing his role in a violent clash between tribals and police in April, resulting from protests against the construction of an approach road to the Sijimali bauxite reserve. Sequeira, born in Mangalore, Karnataka, grew up in Mumbai, where he completed his schooling. He earned an MBBS from St. John’s Medical College in Bengaluru and an MD in internal medicine from Sawai Man Singh Medical College and Hospital in Rajasthan.

In 2017, Sequeira moved to Kalahandi to join NGOs working in the tribal region, eventually operating independently to visit remote villages and provide essential medical care. Dr. Dewal Sawarkar, a former colleague, noted that Sequeira went beyond treating common ailments like malaria and tuberculosis, focusing on the social, economic, and environmental factors affecting tribal health.

Sequeira often held camps to educate pregnant mothers and malnourished children about nutrition and maternal health, aiming to empower them to take charge of their well-being. His LinkedIn profile highlights his work with Adivasi communities and training of primary healthcare volunteers. In September 2023, the Kashipur police in Rayagada district documented Sequeira for distributing pamphlets, maps, and anti-mining materials around the Sijimali hills, a proposed mining site.

Previously, in July 2025, the Orissa High Court invalidated the exclusion order barring Sequeira from entering Rayagada district. Cyriac Abby Philips, a senior from medical school, claimed Sequeira and Naik were arrested overnight without proper warrants or legal counsel, aligning their case with a broader crackdown on Adivasi and Dalit communities opposing the bauxite mining projects.

The Sijimali and Kutrumali blocks, rich in bauxite, have been focal points of resistance, as tribals fear ecological and biodiversity damage along with the disruption of local livelihoods.