Who is Randall Sequeira, the doctor-turned-activist arrested for inciting tribals to violence in the name of anti-mining activism in Odisha

What happened: Police in Odisha arrested Dr Randall Sequeira in mid-October and charged him with attempt to murder and rioting over alleged instigation of violence during an anti-mining campaign in Rayagada district. Laxman Naik was also arrested. Key numbers: Sequeira is 39. Naik was arrested on the night of 16 October 2026. Why it matters: Police rejected claims the arrest targets dissent, saying Sequeira was inciting tribals against the state government and citing pending cases. Both men are in judicial custody; police said they were not named in the original FIR.

Police in Odisha arrested Dr Randall Sequeira in mid-October and charged him with attempt to murder and rioting over alleged instigation of violence during an anti-mining campaign in Rayagada district. Laxman Naik was also arrested.

Police rejected claims the arrest targets dissent, saying Sequeira was inciting tribals against the state government and citing pending cases. Both men are in judicial custody; police said they were not named in the original FIR.