A doctor’s arrest on October 16 drew fresh attention to the police action against opponents of Vedanta’s proposed bauxite mine in Odisha’s Sijimali hills. Dr Randall Sequeira is not the only one behind bars.

Newslaundry looked at a few other arrests: Laxman Naik, a martial arts instructor arrested alongside Dr Sequeira; Hiramal, a farmer jailed since August; and Lingaraj Azad, an activist held since March. All three are named in multiple FIRs alongside hundreds of unidentified persons, and all have had bail pleas rejected.

The FIRs offer a window into the pressure on a movement that began in 2023 across at least 40 villages. Since then, at least 40 cases have been registered. Newslaundry has seen copies of five, which name at least 155 accused and refer to a further 900 unidentified persons. The allegations in them are yet to be tested in court. 

The mining project will require extensive forest land to be cleared in the Tijimali hill range of the Eastern Ghats and the direct displacement of at least two villages. Many residents depend on farming or herding for their livelihoods. They cultivate rice and vegetables on small plots. The project would force them to move elsewhere.

Concerns have been raised before about human rights violations amid action against protesters. Police have not yet responded to Newslaundry’s questions.

Laxman Naik

Laxman, a leader of the anti-mining forum Maa Maati Mali Suraksha Manch, was arrested on October 16 along with Dr Sequeira. His younger brother Deepak (name changed) said the two were in Bhawanipatna, Kalahandi, at the time.

While Dr Sequeira was arrested on an FIR dated April 7 over an incident in Kantamal village, Laxman is named in two separate FIRs, dated April 5 and 6, relating to opposition to work on a construction corridor in Sijimali. Hiramal is also named in these, along with hundreds of unidentified people.

The FIRs against Laxman and Hiramal include unlawful assembly under Sections 189 and 190 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deal with collective criminal liability for members of an unlawful assembly; Section 109, attempt to murder; Section 118, voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt using dangerous weapons; and Section 296, which penalises obscene acts, songs or words in or near public places that cause annoyance to others and among others.

Both the lower court and the Sessions Court have rejected Laxman’s bail pleas. An application is to be filed before the Orissa High Court.

Laxman is the eldest of three siblings from Surugunja village, about 14 km from Kashipur block in Rayagada district. His family lives close to Utkal Mines. Deepak said the family was not fully aware of how deeply involved Laxman was in the movement. “He never really discussed his involvement in the movement with us,” he said.

He said Laxman had always cared about protecting nature, as their father did. “Our mother is very worried. She is upset because Laxman has been arrested even though he has not done anything wrong,” Deepak claimed. “We know what could happen once the company starts its operations. There will be air pollution and we will lose our rights over our land.”

Subhash Singh Majhi, a member of the Manch, said Laxman’s father was also an activist. “Laxman is a black belt holder and also visits our village to teach karate,” he said. Naringa Dei Majhi, a villager and Manch member, said Laxman “helps us understand the importance of nature”. Aflatoon, general secretary of the Samajwadi Jan Parishad (SJP), said Laxman writes folk songs about the movement.

Hiramal

Hiramal, a farmer and Manch leader from Majhi Gaan village in Kashipur block, has been active in the movement since 2023. His land is likely to be affected by the proposed mine.

His son, who did not wish to be identified, said Hiramal was first arrested on January 6, 2025, and spent six months in jail before his release. He was arrested again on Rakshabandhan in August 2026 and is being held in Bhawanipatna jail. His bail application was rejected earlier this month.

Hiramal is named in three FIRs. One is the April 7 FIR registered after clashes between police and villagers, which also names Dr Sequeira along with 100 unidentified people. The other two are the April 5 and 6 FIRs that name Laxman and invoke the sections previously detailed in this report.

His son said the family is struggling without him. “He is the head of our family. I am studying and my mother and grandmother are at home. We are finding it difficult to manage things without him,” he said. He last met his father in jail more than 20 days ago.

Subhash Singh Majhi said Hiramal’s village is close to his own, and that Hiramal “is the sole earning member of the family”. Majhi, who grows tomatoes and potatoes, said he himself joined the movement only after cases were filed against him. “When Vedanta came to the area, I did not know about the protests or the movement. However, cases were filed against me. That was when I finally decided to become part of this movement.”

Lingaraj Azad

Lingaraj is associated with the Niyamgiri Suraksha Samiti and has been active in the Sijimali movement. Aflatoon of the SJP said Lingaraj, the party’s national president, has worked on nature protection since 1980.

His son said several cases have been registered against his father since March 2025. Lingaraj was arrested in March this year on an FIR lodged on November 16, 2025. It relates to Birsa Munda Jayanti celebrations in Nakrundi village, where, according to the FIR, there was chaos and alleged dacoity. He is lodged in Rayagada jail. The lower court rejected his bail application, and a plea is now before the Sessions Court.

“Whenever we apply for bail and some progress is made in the proceedings, another case is registered against my father,” his son alleged. He believes the multiple cases are meant to weaken the movement.

His son said Lingaraj had received several threats over his opposition to mining projects. “He would tell my mother that if he went somewhere, he could not be sure whether he would return,” he said. The family, which includes Lingaraj’s wife, who works in the health department, and three children, is worried about his health. “My father has been diagnosed with liver and kidney problems and also has diabetes,” his son said.

Newslaundry has sent a questionnaire to Rayagada SP Raj Prasad. This report will be updated if a response is received.

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