Randall Sequeira completed MBBS from Bengaluru and in 2017 decided to settle in Kalahandi, Odisha, where basic healthcare out of reach. He worked to improve access, but like several other activists, vocal against bauxite mining in region. Around 11 pm October 16, Laxman Naik and Sequeira picked by Kalahandi police from house at Bhawanipatna. Officers handed them to Rayagada police, Sequeira now in judicial custody in sub-jail, charges ranging from attempt to murder and rioting to possession of arms.
Inspector General Akhileshwar Singh said arrests linked to violent clash between tribals and police in April over construction of approach road to Sijimali bauxite reserve in Rayagada district. While Sequeira wasn't named in FIR, connection with clash, which left people both sides injured, police claimed his role established during investigation.
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Originally from Mangalore, Karnataka, Sequeira grew up in Mumbai, completed MBBS St John's Medical College, Bengaluru and MD internal medicine from Sawal Man Singh Medical College, Rajasthan. In 2017, decided to settle in Kalahandi to work with NGOs operating in tribal region.
After few years, started working independently, often travelling to hard-to-reach villages to treat tribals and understand how they live. Rather than merely prescribing medicines to treat malaria and tuberculosis - diseases prevalent among tribals - would try to understand underlying social, economic and environmental factors, Dr Dewal Sawarkar who worked with him said.
Sequeira, according to friends, helped tribal students prepare for medical entrance, trained voluntary health workers on providing basic primary healthcare. "I enjoy this because it directly holding camps for pregnant mothers and malnourished children to raise awareness, address nutritional and maternal health challenges, and enable them to take active role in improving their own health," Sequeira said.
Police say at least four to five serious cases pending against him, accused of instigating others to make false allegations against state government. Two tribal women also lodged complaint against him for instigating them.
Activist Prafulla Samantara, Goldman Environmental Prize winner 2017 for leading 12-year battle against bauxite mining in Niyamgiri hill in Kalahandi district, condemned arrest, said it is crime for doctor like Randall to be sympathetic for tribal cause within constitutional right.
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Analytically, Sequeira case reflects Odisha's mining conflict - Sijimali bauxite reserve 702 hectares, estimated 227 million tonnes, Vedanta bagged via Adani Group? Actually Adani group? The proposed road triggers tribal resistance, as seen in Niyamgiri. Doctor providing healthcare becomes activist when state fails. For India, which needs bauxite for aluminium and energy transition, but also needs tribal rights under PESA and Forest Rights Act.
If doctor jailed for treating tribals, trust in state health system erodes.
Tags: #RandallSequeira #Kalahandi #BauxiteMining #Sijimali #Adivasi #OdishaPolice #TribalRights #Niyamgiri #PESA #Healthcare