Bhubaneswar: In a significant blow to the Maoist insurgency in Odisha, Ramana Irpa @ Bikesh, a prominent State Committee Member and Commander of the 8th Company operating in the Kandhamal-Kalahandi-Boudh-Nayagarh (KKBN) area, has surrendered in his native district of Bijapur, Chhattisgarh.
He was accompanied by six other hard-core Maoists, including his wife and three couples, marking a substantial desertion from the ranks of the outlawed group.
Bikesh, who had been active in the KKBN area for the past three years, was a highly sought-after cadre carrying a combined reward of Rs 35 lakhs (Rs 25 lakhs from Chhattisgarh and Rs 10 lakhs from Odisha). He stated that intensive operations by the Odisha Police forced him to abandon his activities in Kandhamal and seek surrender.
The seven surrendered Maoists collectively carried a reward of Rs 89 lakhs from both Odisha and Chhattisgarh. Among them are one State Committee member (Bikesh) and six Area Committee Members (ACMs). Six of the seven are natives of Bijapur, Chhattisgarh.
Details of the Surrendered Maoists:
- Ramana Irpa @ Bikesh: Commander, 8th Company (KKBN). Reward: Rs 25 lakhs.
- Rame Kamlu @ Pramila: ACM, wife of Bikesh (KKBN). Reward: Rs 8 lakhs.
- Hunga Madkam @ Mainu: ACM, BGN division. Reward: Rs 5 lakhs.
- Paro Sikaka @ Santi: ACM, BGN division. Reward: Rs 5 lakhs. (Married to Hunga Madkam @ Mainu)
- Lakse Podiami @ Asha: ACM, BGN division. Reward: Rs 5 lakhs.
- Dukaru Lekam @ Dora: ACM, BGN division. Reward: Rs 5 lakhs.
- Jogi Padiam @ Raimati: ACM, BGN division. Reward: Rs 5 lakhs.
These individuals were reportedly involved in numerous killings of civilians and other acts of violence in Kandhamal, Rayagada, and Kalahandi over the past five years.
Deteriorating Morale and Odisha Police’s Impact
Following his surrender, Bikesh revealed that he and his fellow cadres were suffering from severe mental and health issues, unable to stay in one place for more than a day due to constant pressure from police operations. He emphasized that almost all Maoist cadres in Odisha are completely demoralized and are looking for an opportunity to surrender.
Bikesh made a direct appeal to all Maoists operating in Odisha to surrender to the police and join the mainstream, highlighting the facilities and support provided by the government to surrendered cadres.
Jagdish Udupa, a former member of the Odisha State Committee who surrendered in Bijapur in June, echoed Bikesh’s sentiments. He encouraged active cadres to contact the Kandhamal SP to avail themselves of government rehabilitation benefits, citing his own positive experience.
The Odisha Police has reiterated its appeal to all Maoists to surrender, assuring them that their welfare will be taken care of as per the government’s Rehabilitation and Surrender Policy.
This mass surrender of seven top cadres is expected to severely weaken the Maoist presence in Odisha, especially under the new leadership of Sanjeeb Panda as Chief of Anti-Naxal Operations. The significant number of recent surrenders suggests a growing crisis within the Maoist ranks in the state.