Plea in HC against Rayagada collector's 2-month entry ban against Patkar, 24 others
Cuttack: Orissa high court on Friday began hearing a petition challenging an order issued by the Rayagada collector on June 4, which prohibits activist Medha Patkar and 24 others from entering or staying in the district for two months.
The ban was imposed ahead of a public meeting scheduled for June 5 at Hatpada field in Sunger under Kashipur block, where Patkar and other activists were expected to protest against proposed bauxite mining in the Sijimali hills. Citing law and order concerns, collector Parul Patwari acted on a report from the SP stating that the presence of the group might disturb public peace and hinder administrative functioning.
The matter reached the HC through a petition filed by Dr Randall Sequeira, a Bhawanipatna-based medical practitioner who was among those barred. Sequeira contended that the order severely hampers his ability to provide essential medical services to tribal communities in Rayagada and Kalahandi, where he has been offering free healthcare for years.
Appearing for the petitioner, advocate Afraaz Suhail argued that the prohibition was arbitrary, disproportionate and violated constitutional rights.
He highlighted that the planned protest was a daylong event, and imposing a two-month district-wide ban not only lacks justification but reflects "non-application of mind" by authorities.
Taking note of it, Justice S K Panigrahi sought responses from the Rayagada collector and SP. Additional govt advocate Debashish Nayak was directed to obtain necessary instructions. The matter has been posted for further hearing on Tuesday.
The petition asserts that equating peaceful protest in a scheduled area with a threat to public peace is flawed reasoning. It alleges that the administration's approach overlooks the nuanced balance between environmental concerns, indigenous rights and development policies.
Sequeira maintained he has no links to any protest and fears the order unjustly tarnishes his record while depriving tribals of crucial healthcare services.
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