Police arrested you in Bhubaneswar, barely 24 hours after your supporters allegedly resorted to violence and arson at Talcher coalfield over retrenchment of contractual workers on November 29. The state Assembly was in session at that time and you were later released on bail. What was your involvement in the incident?

I had protested against the local contractor’s plan to disengage workers from service at the coal mining and transportation sites. They had been working there for the last 22 years. I had raised the issue with the principal employer of Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL), but they did not respond. The loading and transportation work had been given to three contractors, who are influential people in the area.On November 28, I went to the railway siding to ensure that no worker was laid off. There was heavy deployment of police and the area prohibitory orders were in place. When I demanded a written statement, local police detained me, along with 48 others. The next day, 12,000 to 13,000 people attended a public meeting on the issue and it was decided that we would submit a memorandum to the sub-collector. We were on our way, when the local transporter, who loots coal, attacked and beat us up.

How did your arrest take place?

I was arrested just outside my quarter in MLA colony in Bhubaneswar. I was leaving to meet the chief secretary at 4 pm when an assistant commissioner of police told me that cops from Angul had come to arrest me. I asked if they had a written order and they didn’t. The officer misbehaved with me and shoved me inside a vehicle and took me to Angul. On the way, they put me in another four-wheeler and took me to court. A police team followed me as if I were a criminal.

You are an Independent MLA. Do you think you wouldn’t have been arrested easily if you belonged to some party?

Yes, the police wouldn’t have dared then. I have said this to everyone, including Angul district collector. If I had been a ruling party member, they would have never troubled poor people, who depend on coalmines for survival. As I have no godfather, they feel they can insult me whenever they like.

Angul SP Narasingh Bhol announced that they had evidence of your involvement in the violence on the railway siding that led to the burning of a dozen of vehicles. What’s your take on this?

I never encourage violence. I have always intervened in issues concerning public interest, which the police could not digest. The SP targeted me and planned to arrest me under National Security Act, but he failed to do it. The police did not dare to go against public opinion. I thank the people of Talcher for supporting me.

You have earlier talked about the involvement of officials in looting coal from the coalfields…

Yes, there is a nexus between officials and contractors. Local MCL officials, those in the mining department and police are all involved. They are aware of the mineral loot. I have raised this issue several times, but no one listens.

Can you elaborate on the loot of coal?

Nearly 16.5 tonnes of coal can be transported in a 10-wheeler truck. Sometimes, however, they take nearly 20 tonnes of coals. There is no weighing measure, no check gate and no security official to keep a tab on it. Local officials and the police make a lot of money from this. I had written to the CBI and the coal ministry in this regard, but neither the state government nor the Centre seem interested to check the rampant loot of coal.

Have you ever apprised the chief minister about this matter?

Not personally, but I have raised the issue several times in the Assembly. The state government is aware, but is not taking action.

Can you name the people involved in this? Are members of any political party part of this?

Some members of the ruling BJD and the BJP are involved. They are responsible for creation of a mafia raj in the coal belt.

But without evidence, will your allegation stand?

Let us have a CBI probe. I will cooperate with them. The call register of the coal mafia in the last year must be thoroughly checked. Local cops also know who all are involved in this racket.

Is there no involvement of Congress members in coal loot? Or do you wish not to talk about it because of your closeness with some senior Congress leaders?

A CBI inquiry will reveal everything. The ruling party and the BJP have patronised goons there. Senior police officers are very much aware of it. During that incident of violence, goons from Bihar had been brought.

Congress denied you a party ticket during 2009 elections. Which party are you keen to join?

People of Talcher are my God. So, before joining any party, I will consult them.

Your elder brother is an employee of MCL, Talcher, against which you have been protesting. Have your relations soured? Has he faced the wrath of his seniors because of you?

No, we are separate individuals. He does his own thing and is very honest. He never interferes in my work.

You belong to a mineral-rich belt. Apart from your salary, do you have any other source of income?

I depend solely on my salary. I submitted my property list during the 2009 Assembly polls after which there has not been any substantial growth. You will know when I submit the list again while filing my nomination for the 2014 elections.

What would you have been had you not been a politician?

If not in politics, I would have been a social activist. After completing my matriculation, I remained busy with social service. Ever since I contested for the Zilla Parishad elections, I resolved to put an end to all problems of local people. My aim has always been to serve people. I have always raised my voice against injustice. My struggle against MCL started in 1996 because of the ill treatment meted out to the workers, who were not adequately compensated. My father, who was employed with the Indian Army for 30 years, is my inspiration. I have also resolved to remain a bachelor for life.

A REBEL

Braja Kishore Pradhan, 38, is an Independent MLA from Talcher, who was elected to the
Assembly for the first time in 2009.

Born and brought up in the nondescript Ananta Berani village in Angul district, Pradhan completed his matriculation from Handidhua High School under Colliery police
limits in Talcher block.

Then he did his diploma in motor mechanic at a local industrial training
institute before enrolling for Plus Three in
Mahaviroad College, Dhenkanal.

He, however, could not complete his graduation as he was arrested towards the end of the course allegedly for protesting against a road being cut up illegally.