Koraput: The family of Dr Randall Sequeira, arrested on Oct 16 for his alleged role in the violence at Kantamal village in Rayagada district in April, demanded his immediate release on Monday, alleging that he had been falsely implicated because of his perceived association with anti-mining activists.Police, however, said Dr Randall had been arrested as per law and has at least eight criminal intimidation cases registered against him at Kashipur police station even as tribals held protest at Muniguda in Rayagada district demanding the release of the doctor and Laxman Naik, who was arrested along with the former.Dr Randall’s father, Alex Sequeira, who travelled from Mumbai to meet him in Rayagada jail, said his son had spent the last six to seven years providing medical care to poor and marginalised communities in the remote, hilly areas of Kalahandi, Koraput and Rayagada districts.“My son has been working among poor tribal communities for several years, providing medical treatment and creating awareness about healthcare. He has done nothing wrong but has been arrested merely because he is perceived to be sympathetic towards those opposing mining activities,” Alex alleged.Expressing faith in the judiciary, he said the family hoped his son would be released at the earliest. Dr Randall’s mother Nancy also appealed for his release. “He has dedicated his life to treating poor and underprivileged people in remote villages. These people need his services, and we appeal to the judiciary to ensure his early release,” she said.Social activist Siddharth Routray, who joined the family in demanding Dr Randall’s release, questioned the circumstances behind the arrest. Routray claimed that Dr Randall’s name did not figure specifically in the police FIR and that he had been implicated through a general reference to “100 others”.Dismissing the allegations, Rayagada SP Raj Prasad said the arrests were made following complaints of criminal intimidation lodged by local villagers at Kashipur police station. “Both were arrested for their alleged involvement in threatening members of the public and other serious offences. Sequeira has eight criminal cases registered against him, while Naik is named in 16 cases. Both were produced before a court following their arrest,” the SP said.On Monday, hundreds of tribals under the banner of Niyamgiri Suraksha Samiti (NSS) held a rally at Muniguda demanding the immediate release of Dr Randall and Naik, withdrawal of cases against tribal activists and an end to alleged attempts to facilitate mining in the Niyamgiri hills.Protesters gathered outside the Muniguda tehsil office and accused the govt of attempting to hand over the mineral-rich hills to corporate houses.On Tuesday, a rally has been planned by villagers in the Sijimali bauxite mining region of Rayagada district against the arrests. The Maa Mati Mali Suraksha Manch (MMMSM), which has been spearheading protests against mining activities in the region, alleged that the arrests were aimed at suppressing opposition from local communities.“Police are implicating innocent villagers in false cases and sending them to jail to weaken the movement against mining activities. Instead of protecting the rights of local communities, the administration is attempting to silence those raising their voices against the company,” alleged MMMSM member Subash Singh Majhi.The arrests follow a violent face-off between police and tribals near Kantamal village under Kashipur police station limits on April 6 over a proposed road project linked to bauxite mining. The clash left at least 70 people injured, including 58 police personnel.
