Outlook Magazine was the only publication to have interviewed Chhatradhar Mahato in his prison cell in Midnapore Central Jail. Subsequently a gag order was put on the PCAPA leader from further speaking to the press. Though his requests for being granted permission to campaign outside jail and to speak to reporters has been turned down by the Election Commission and subsequently the Prison Directorate of West Bengal during the 2011 Assembly elections, the following interview conducted in June 2010 could give a glimpse of his thoughts on politics and other topics including his controversial arrest when police posed as journalists to get to him.
The Maoists are understood to have laid down certain conditions before agreeing to peace talks with the Indian government. They have reportedly demanded your release as on of these conditions.