Activists seek Governor’s intervention for release of people arrested in Odisha’s bauxite region
Human rights activists have petitioned the Governor of Odisha, Braj Mohan Ram, to intervene in the arrests of tribal and Dalit people protesting bauxite mining by the Vedanta Group in the Kalahandi and Rayagada districts. Activists allege that police are making indiscriminate arrests on false charges to stifle peaceful protests against the Sijimali bauxite mining project.
Why it matters
This highlights ongoing conflicts between industrial development and indigenous rights in India, raising concerns about human rights, environmental impact, and the suppression of dissent in resource-rich regions.
Activists seek Governor’s intervention for release of people arrested in Odisha’s bauxite region left Image for the purpose of representation only. File File https://th-i.thgim.com/public/news/national/tfceaj/article71605036.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/90092_15_4_2026_14_39_4_1_SIJIMALI_BAUXITE_MINE_CONFLICT_33.jpg Two activists, Randall Sequeira and Laxman Naik, associated with the resistance against Sijimali bauxite mining, were picked up from Bhabanipatna BHUBANESWAR Human rights activists have approached Odisha Governor Braj Mohan Ram, seeking his intervention in the arrests of people opposed to bauxite mining in Kalahandi and Rayagada districts. “Since many Dalit and tribal people are opposing Sijimali bauxite mining in Kalahandi and Rayagada districts, the police in the two districts are resorting to indiscriminate arrests,” Prafulla Samantara, who sent a petition to the Governor on Monday (October 19, 2026), said.
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