Rayagada: In a significant breakthrough for the Odisha Police’s anti-Naxal strategy, 15 hardcore Maoists formally surrendered before Shri Sanjeeb Panda, Additional Director General of Police (ADG)(Anti-Naxal Operations), at the District Police Office in Rayagada. The group, which included high-ranking cadres, renounced their decades-long association with the outlawed movement to join the mainstream in the presence of top police and district officials.
During the function, the surrendered rebels handed over a substantial cache of 14 weapons, including two AK-47 rifles, five SLRs, an INSAS rifle, a sten gun, and a .303 rifle, along with a large quantity of ammunition. The surrender of these individuals, who collectively carried a massive bounty of 1.98 crore, marks one of the most significant blows to the Maoist infrastructure in the Banshadhara-Ghuman-Nagabali (BGN) division.
Addressing the gathering, ADG Shri Sanjeeb Panda emphasized that this mass surrender is a clear indicator of the fading influence of Left Wing Extremism in Odisha. He noted that the sustained and coordinated operations by the Special Operation Group (SOG), District Voluntary Force (DVF), CRPF, and BSF have effectively eroded the Maoist base. According to ADGP Shri Panda, the decision of these cadres to lay down arms reflects a growing trust in the government’s people-centric development policies.
The surrendering group was led by Nikhil and Indu, both State Committee Members who each carried a reward of 55 lakh. Following the death of Central Committee Member Ganesh Uike in December 2025, Nikhil had emerged as the highest-ranking Maoist leader in the state. The group also included one Divisional Committee Member, five Area Committee Members, and eight party members who had been active across the districts of Rayagada, Kandhamal, Gajapati, and Kalahandi.
ADG Shri Panda assured the former rebels that they would receive comprehensive support under the State Government’s Surrender and Rehabilitation Policy. This package includes financial assistance, vocational training, and skill development programs designed to help them reintegrate into society with dignity. He further highlighted the success of the state’s security apparatus, noting that districts such as Nuapada, Nawarangpur, Malkangiri, Koraput, and Boudh have now become completely Naxal-free.
The event was attended by senior officials including IG CRPF Amitendra Nath Sinha, IG Operations Dr. Deepak Kumar, SIW DIG Sri Akhileshvar Singh, Sri Vishal Singh, DIG Koraput, Sri Ashutosh Kulkarni, Collector Rayagada, Ms Swathi , SP Rayagada, Sri Harish BC, SP, Kandhamal, Sri Nagaraj, SP Kalahandi.
Concluding the session, ADG Shri Sanjeeb Panda issued a fresh appeal to remaining Maoist cadres to shun the path of violence and surrender, promising them all necessary assistance to start a new chapter of life.