New Delhi: The Jan Swasthya Abhiyan – a nationwide people’s health movement – has condemned the arrest of medical doctor Randall Sequeira, who has worked extensively with Adivasi communities in Odisha’s Kalahandi and Rayagada, and Dalit human rights defender Laxman Naik on October 16.The JSA has said that their detention is illegal, as is the undocumented seizure of their phones. The Jan Swasthya Abhiyan was formed in 2001, with the coming together of 18 national networks that had organised activities across the country in 2000.The organisation, in a statement, said that these actions target activists addressing the social and mental health impacts of mining.The organisation has demanded their immediate release, withdrawal of all cases, an independent enquiry into intimidation, and protection of community health workers’ democratic rights and freedoms.§The full statement is below.Jan Swasthya Abhiyan condemns the arrest of our fellow traveller, Dr Randall Sequeira, along with Dalit activist Laxman Naik, from Bhawanipatna on the night of 16 October 2026. Dr Randall is an MD in General Medicine who has worked with Adivasi communities in Kalahandi and Rayagada for years. Supporting people facing dispossession and mental health challenges due to mining is part of social health work. It cannot be termed a crime. The two persons were picked up from their homes without a warrant, their phones were seized without a memo, and their whereabouts stayed hidden until they were produced before the SDJM, Rayagada, the next evening. Neither of them is named in the FIR, yet both have been charged with serious offences, including attempt to murder and dacoity. We have clear reasons to believe that these charges are fabricated, given that Dr Randall and his friends were working on the social and mental health issues resulting from the widespread private mining activities opened up by the government in those areas, and the three different FIRs filed over the same incident are adding strength to this doubt. It is worth noting that Dr Randall already has anticipatory bail in a related case. We understand the magistrate who heard the case did not ask for or record Dr Randall’s account of ill-treatment during custody, and both Dr Randall and Mr Laxman have been remanded. Arrests like this can force doctors and health workers away from the remote regions that need them most. While there is a clear need to protect those who speak up for community health, these government actions clearly go against this principle. The Jan Swasthya Abhiyan demands: Immediate and unconditional release of Dr Randall Sequeira and Mr Laxman Naik. Withdrawal of all cases against these community health leaders. Clear message from the government, ensuring adequate space without any constraints or threats, for the medical and health experts working closely with vulnerable communities. An independent enquiry into the larger process of intimidation, arrests and threats in the entire area, along with ending all such repression and restoration of democratic rights. JSA calls on health professionals, public health groups, and democratic movements to stand in solidarity and demand that the Odisha government intervene immediately and end these wrongful police actions.