Set free after 25 years, Staines’ murder convict plans to fight for tribal rights
Keonjhar: Mahendra Hembram, who was released on Wednesday after serving 25 years in prison in connection with the murder of Australian missionary Graham Staines, has announced plans to establish a voluntary organisation focusing on tribal rights and preventing religious conversions.
“I will now go to the people’s court and work till the end of my life to create a new identity in the society and establish a healthy democratic legal system,” said Hembram (48), in his first media interaction after his release.
Hembram, who maintains innocence in the 1999 killing of Staines and his two sons, said he will also focus on preventing cow slaughter in Odisha. “If many states have banned cow slaughter, why hasn’t Odisha done the same?” questioned Hembram, who spent his prison term advocating for inmates’ rights.
During his incarceration, Hembram emerged as a voice for prisoner welfare, leading successful protests for basic amenities. “We fought for fans, cable TV and basic hygiene products. Through hunger strikes and protests, we managed to secure these fundamental rights for inmates,” he said.
Reflecting on his time in prison, Hembram said he was given special responsibility for maintaining discipline and helping other inmates understand their rights. He also submitted a proposal to the president for establishing a steel factory and college in the border areas of Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar districts.
Hembram expressed dissatisfaction with his conviction, claiming the investigation was partial. “Valuable time in my life was wasted. I have been very unfairly treated,” he said, adding that he plans to seek justice through legal means.
Currently staying with his brothers in his village, just half a km from the murder site, Hembram is also fighting to reclaim his homestead land, which he alleges was forcibly acquired during his imprisonment.
On co-convict Dara Singh, Mahendra said, “I did not know him till we faced trial for the same crime. In jail as undertrials, we were never allowed to meet each other, because we are kept in separate wards. We got a chance to meet and get to know each other after conviction.”
“I will now go to the people’s court and work till the end of my life to create a new identity in the society and establish a healthy democratic legal system,” said Hembram (48), in his first media interaction after his release.
Hembram, who maintains innocence in the 1999 killing of Staines and his two sons, said he will also focus on preventing cow slaughter in Odisha. “If many states have banned cow slaughter, why hasn’t Odisha done the same?” questioned Hembram, who spent his prison term advocating for inmates’ rights.
During his incarceration, Hembram emerged as a voice for prisoner welfare, leading successful protests for basic amenities. “We fought for fans, cable TV and basic hygiene products. Through hunger strikes and protests, we managed to secure these fundamental rights for inmates,” he said.
Reflecting on his time in prison, Hembram said he was given special responsibility for maintaining discipline and helping other inmates understand their rights. He also submitted a proposal to the president for establishing a steel factory and college in the border areas of Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar districts.
Hembram expressed dissatisfaction with his conviction, claiming the investigation was partial. “Valuable time in my life was wasted. I have been very unfairly treated,” he said, adding that he plans to seek justice through legal means.
Currently staying with his brothers in his village, just half a km from the murder site, Hembram is also fighting to reclaim his homestead land, which he alleges was forcibly acquired during his imprisonment.
On co-convict Dara Singh, Mahendra said, “I did not know him till we faced trial for the same crime. In jail as undertrials, we were never allowed to meet each other, because we are kept in separate wards. We got a chance to meet and get to know each other after conviction.”
