Odisha Police Declares Rayagada and Kalahandi Districts Free from Maoist Insurgency
With less than a week remaining before the Centre's deadline to eliminate left-wing extremism (LWE) nationwide, the Odisha police made a significant announcement on Wednesday. They declared Rayagada and Kalahandi—two of the state's three Maoist-affected districts—free from insurgency. This leaves only Kandhamal district awaiting the Naxal-free tag, marking a crucial step in the state's counter-insurgency efforts.
Surrender of Key Maoist Leader and Associates
ADG (anti-Naxal operations) Sanjeeb Panda, speaking in Kandhamal where the surrender took place, provided detailed insights. He stated that Naxal influence had already been eradicated in Nuapada, Nabarangpur, Malkangiri, Koraput, Boudh, Balangir, and Bargarh districts. Rayagada and Kalahandi have now joined this list following the surrender of Maoist state committee member Sukru and his four associates.
These individuals had been active in the Kandhamal-Kalahandi-Rayagada axis, a region historically plagued by insurgent activities. Their surrender represents a major blow to Maoist operations in Odisha.
Current Status and Ongoing Operations in Kandhamal
According to Panda, only a small patch in Kandhamal remains under Maoist presence, with approximately 8–9 lower-rung rebels, mostly from Chhattisgarh. Anti-Maoist operations have been intensified in the district by a coordinated force including the special operations group, district voluntary force, CRPF, and BSF.
The aim is to make Odisha completely free of Naxals by the end of the month, Panda emphasized. He praised key officials such as IGP (operations) Deepak Kumar, DIG (special intelligence wing) Akhileshvar Singh, and Kandhamal SP Harisha BC for their sustained and effective operations.
Panda also urged the remaining cadres to surrender and avail themselves of the government's rehabilitation benefits, highlighting the state's commitment to peaceful resolution.
Details of the Surrendered Maoists and Their Arsenal
Police disclosed specific information about the surrendered individuals:
- Sukru, aged 49, a Maoist state committee member.
- His aides: Sanjay Rawa (28), Roni Patami (26), Kuni Majhi (26), and Banila Krusham (25).
This group carried a collective bounty of around Rs 83 lakh, indicating their high-profile status within the Maoist hierarchy. Upon surrender, they handed over five firearms, including an AK-47, along with a large cache of ammunition, significantly reducing the insurgents' firepower.
Impact of Previous Operations and Recent Surrenders
Panda noted that the killing of central committee member Ganesh Uike in Kandhamal in December 2025, followed by sustained security operations, demoralized Maoist ranks and triggered the latest wave of surrenders. In the past one and a half months, about 40 Maoists, including some top leaders, have surrendered.
Key surrender events include:
- On February 7, 15 cadres of the Bansadhara-Ghumusar-Nagavali (BGN) division surrendered in Rayagada.
- On March 11, 10 cadres from the Kalahandi-Kandhamal-Boudh-Nayagarh (KKBN) division laid down arms in Kandhamal.
- On March 15, 11 cadres from the BGN division surrendered in Kalahandi.
This pattern reflects the steadily weakening influence of the Maoist movement in Odisha, Panda concluded, underscoring the effectiveness of combined military and rehabilitation strategies.
