Bhubaneswar: Odisha has seen a sharp decline in Left-wing extremism with only around 40 members of the banned CPI (Maoist) active in the state, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi informed the Odisha Assembly on Monday.
The Chief Minister stated that these remaining Maoists are operating in small, scattered groups primarily in parts of Kalahandi, Rayagada, Kandhamal, Boudh, Balangir, and Bargarh districts.
“Maoist extremism in Odisha has declined significantly. Only Kandhamal features in the “Other LWE Affected District” category under the Centre’s Security Related Expenditure (SRE) scheme, which classifies districts based on the level of LWE impact. The remaining eight districts previously linked to Maoist influence — Malkangiri, Koraput, Nuapada, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Rayagada, Boudh, and Balangir — have been downgraded to the less severe “Legacy & Thrust” category,” the CM said.
This assessment aligns with broader national trends showing a contraction of the so-called Red Corridor.
Earlier this month, the Odisha government had revised its surrender and rehabilitation scheme for Maoists, restricting benefits exclusively to those active within Odisha or state natives. The scheme offers an attractive reward package 10% higher than Chhattisgarh.
Following the notification of the revised policy in November last year, 45 Maoists surrendered, limiting Maoist presence to the trijunction area of Kalahandi, Kandhamal, and Rayagada districts. Another four rebels surrendered in Kandhamal and of 15 others, including top Maoisty couple Nikhil and Indu, in Rayagada district on February 6.
The Sunday encounter of two associates of CPI (Maoist) state committee member Sukru alias Krishna, the biggest leader active in Odisha among about 40-odd cadres, in the dense forests of Kandhamal district is being seen as a major blow to extremism in the state.