Bhubaneswar: An 18-year-old Maoist cadre, identified as Ablain Honhaga Prabhu, surrendered before Rourkela Police in Sundargarh district on Tuesday, marking an important step forward in the ongoing efforts to weaken and contain Maoist activities in Odisha.
According to sources, Prabhu hails from Halamuli village in West Singhbhum district under Chotanagra police limits on the Jharkhand-Odisha border. He joined the outlawed CPI (M) about two years ago and worked under state committee member Anmol, who carries bounties of Rs 15 lakh in Jharkhand and Rs 20 lakh in Odisha.
His primary roles included carrying weapons, providing reconnaissance and surveillance during the relocation of Maoist camps, keeping watch on police and security forces’ movements, and assisting in violent activities. However, disillusioned with the path of violence and the internal pressures of the group, he decided to leave the organisation entirely.
Speaking to the media, Western Range DIG Brijesh Rai emphasised that all necessary assistance would be provided to Prabhu as per government rehabilitation policies to help him reintegrate into society. Rourkela SP Nitesh Wadhwani added that he carried an award of Rs 2.65 lakh and will be provided with school education, skilling and health card.
This surrender comes against the backdrop of intensified security operations and a clear government push to eliminate Maoist influence, particularly in states like Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Odisha.
Meanwhile, Union MoS Home Nityanand Rai revealed in Parliament that only eight districts in the country are currently affected by Left-Wing Extremism, with six located in Chhattisgarh, one each in Jharkhand (West Singhbhum) and Odisha (Kandhamal).
Earlier this month, Odisha Police had announced that Nuapada and Nabarangpur districts were free from Maoist influence, following the surrender of the last nine active cadres of the region in neighbouring Chhattisgarh. Nabarangpur, which borders Chhattisgarh, reported no Maoist-related activity for the past 5 years. With this, Maoist presence was confined to pockets of Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Balangir, Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, and Boudh.
