Bhubaneswar: A total of 118 Maoists were killed in action by security forces in Odisha over the last 10 years, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi informed the Assembly on Monday.
In a written answer to a question from BJP MLA Kanhai Charan Danga, the Chief Minister said that between 2015 and January 25, 2025, as many as 118 CPI (Maoist) cadres were killed in action by security forces in the state.
This apart, the Odisha Police, in a joint anti-Maoist operation with Chhattisgarh Police, successfully neutralised 17 Maoists, including a central committee member, he said.
During the 10 years, a total of 315 Maoists and persons involved in Maoist activities have been arrested and 238 Maoists/militias have surrendered in the state, the CM added.
The CM said various steps are being taken to make Odisha free from Maoist menace by 2026.
To counter Maoist activities and movements, Majhi said, “72 companies of central armed forces, 32 special security battalions, 35 Special Operation Group (SOG) teams, about 600 District Volunteer Force (DVF) jawans, 75 platoons of India Reserve Battalion, and more than 350 Odisha Special Striking Force personnel have been deployed in the Maoist-hit areas.”
He added, “On the basis of intelligence inputs, security forces are continuing area domination operations in the Maoist-affected areas.”
Regarding technological advancements, the CM said, “Modern equipment like drones, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) interceptors, modern weapons, and communication equipment, along with anti-terrorism training, are being provided to security forces deployed for anti-Maoist operations.”
Company operational bases of security forces have been set up in Left Wing Extremism (LWE) areas, he said.
On the state’s ‘Surrender and Rehabilitation Policy,’ Majhi added, “Under the policy, different benefits, including marriage assistance, stipend for study, homestead land and housing aid have been extended to surrendered Maoist cadres as per the eligibility criteria.”
The state also provides vocational training to surrendered CPI (Maoist) cadres at the rate of Rs 6,000 per month for a maximum period of 36 months, the CM said.
