Bhubaneswar: Is Naxalism raising its ugly head once again in Odisha? The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) is apprehensive.
Addressing a press meet on Saturday, senior BJD leader Pritiranjan Gharai urged the state government to take immediate action. Odisha borders Chhattisgarh where security forces have launched severe strikes against the rebels, killing more than 100 of them in the first three months of 2025 alone.
There is a distinct possibility of some of the Maoists crossing over into Odisha and regrouping. Gharai pointed to alarming reports from Dhenkanal’s Kankadahada block, as well as parts of Jajpur and Keonjhar districts — regions declared free from Maoist influence in 2013.
“These areas, once declared zero-Maoist zones, are now witnessing a disturbing comeback of extremist activities. Armed Maoists are not only roaming freely with modern weapons but have also resumed recruitment and extortion. There is a visible deficit in governance. Even the chief minister, in a recent Assembly session, admitted that over 100 Maoists are still active in the state,” the former minister said.
Odisha chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi had, in December 2024, informed the state Assembly that 123 Maoists were killed in the state in 10 years, while 11 security personnel died in the line of duty. “In the past 10 years since 2014, 336 Maoists surrendered in the state, and they returned to the mainstream. By 2026, Odisha will be free of the Maoist menace, and on the direction of the Union home minister, steps are being taken,” the CM had said.
Odisha has designated 11 districts — Koraput, Malkangiri, Rayagada, Bargarh, Balangir, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Nuapada, Kandhamal, Boudh and Sundargarh — as Maoist affected.
Highlighting the strategic importance of Jajpur, Keonjhar, and Dhenkanal as mining and industrial hubs, Gharai warned that any escalation in extremist activity could derail ongoing and future investment efforts.
“If these districts become Maoist-infested once again, the state’s industrial growth and investment potential will suffer tremendously. There is a worrying lack of coordination between the administration and police forces in these areas, which is worsening the situation,” he noted.
Recalling the successful suppression of Maoist activities in 2006 through coordinated law enforcement and community engagement, Gharai urged the state government to take decisive action.
“Our appeal to the Chief Minister is to treat this issue with utmost seriousness and come forward with a clear plan of action to tackle the renewed Maoist threat,” he said.
