Bhubaneswar: At least 22 Maoists laid down arms before police in Odisha’s Malkangiri district on Tuesday in the presence of Odisha DGP YB Khurania.
This comes days after the Odisha government revised its Maoist surrender and rehabilitation policy with significantly higher incentives, offering rewards 10% above those in neighbouring Chhattisgarh.
The surrendered cadres include a senior leader of Divisional Committee Member (DVCM) rank and six Area Committee Members (ACMs), each carrying bounties ranging from Rs 5.5 lakh to Rs 27.5 lakh. While 19 among them belonged to the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC), two were associated with the Andhra–Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee (AOBSZC) and one with the Gadchiroli Area Committee.
They also handed over firearms including an AK-47 rifle, two INSAS rifles, one SLR, three .303 rifles and two single-shot rifles, along with 150 rounds of live ammunition, magazines, explosives, IEDs, gelatin sticks, Maoist literature and other incriminating articles.
The total reward and incentive for this surrender stood at Rs 1.84 crore, including those for the weapons handed over.
Addressing the surrendered cadres, Khurania said the government would extend structured rehabilitation support.“On behalf of the government, I welcome all of these men and women here as proud members of society,” he said.
Each of the surrendered cadres has been provided an interim relief of Rs 25,000. Additional benefits include housing under Antyodaya Gruha Yojana, monthly stipends during skill training, health coverage, subsidised ration, and a one-time marriage incentive.
Those surrendering with weapons would receive Rs 4 lakh each.
Nine districts – Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Balangir, Malkangiri, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Nuapada, Rayagada, and Boudh – in Odisha are under Maoist influence. Among them, Koraput, Malkangiri, Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Nuapada, and Balangir, share borders with Chhattisgarh, which remains a
Maoist stronghold.
On December 18, a 15-year-old cadre of the banned CPI (Maoist) outfit, Roya Kalundi alias Ganesh, surrendered before Rourkela police with a carbine weapon. A native of Kontodya village under Jamda police limits in West Singhbhum district of the adjacent Jharkhand, he was operating in Kolhan range of the dense Saranda forest along the Odisha-Jharkhand border and was reportedly involved in four incidents of violence under Rourkela police limits.
In a related development, Kandhamal police have launched a ‘poster campaign’, mentioning a most-wanted list of 33 Maoist leaders with monetary rewards for any tips that result in their arrest.
While central committee member Ganesh Uike carries a reward of Rs 1.2 crore, special zonal committee members Sudarshan, Nikhil, Ankita (also known as Indu), Rashmita Lenka, Shukru (also known as Krishna), and Nitu each have a Rs 65 lakh bounty. Platoon commanders Shila and Renu have been assigned Rs 37.5 lakh each and a reward of Rs 32 lakh has also been placed on each 10 members of the divisional committee.
This campaign is being seen as a major psychological and operational push to dismantle the remaining Maoist corridors in Kandhamal, in line with the central government’s goal of achieving a Maoist-free India by 2026.
Nayagarh on High Alert after Intel on Maoist Movement
Meanwhile, Odisha Police has intensified security measures in Nayagarh district, about 84 km from the state capital, following intelligence reports of small Maoist groups moving in the bordering areas of Kandhamal and Ganjam districts.
Security at the Nayagarh armoury has been strengthened, with guard strength increased from 15 to 25 personnel. One unit each of the Odisha Special Striking Force (OSSF) has been deployed at Daspalla and Banigochha police stations for rapid emergency response, while a Special Operations Group (SOG) unit has been stationed in Daspalla for immediate operations against any detected Maoist activity, the TNIE reported.
Nayagarh had witnessed one of the most audacious attacks by the banned outfit in February 2008 when the Maoists massacred 14 people, including 13 policemen, before looting the district armoury.
Police sources said that threats persist in bordering areas of Kandhamal, Rayagada, Gajapati, and Ganjam-Nayagarh, with rebels possibly sheltering in forested regions. Superintendents of Police in these districts have been instructed to stay vigilant.