77 Maoists Give Up Arms in Odisha; DGP Calls for More Surrenders
Synopsis
In a significant development, 77 Maoists have surrendered in Odisha, as announced by DGP Y.B. Khurania. He appeals to remaining cadres to avoid conflict and take advantage of the state's rehabilitation policy. This comes as part of a year-long effort to combat Maoist influence.
Key Takeaways
**77 Maoists surrendered** to Odisha Police. **27 extremists neutralized** by security forces. **Active Maoist numbers** have dropped to single digits.
Ongoing operations in **Kandhamal-Rayagada-Kalahandi** region.
State’s **rehabilitation policy** encourages surrender.
Bhubaneswar, March 29 (NationPress) The Director General of Police (DGP) of Odisha, Y.B. Khurania, announced on Sunday that the sustained efforts of security forces over the last year have resulted in the surrender of 77 Maoists and the neutralization of 27 extremists in the state. He urged the remaining Maoist cadres to surrender their weapons to avoid confrontation with law enforcement.
Khurania, who attended a special event in Phulbani to honor security personnel involved in anti-Maoist operations, mentioned that approximately a year ago, security forces were tasked with dismantling the Maoist influence in India by March 31, 2026.
The Odisha DGP highlighted that significant victories have been made against the Maoist threat in 2025 and into 2026, due to the collaborative efforts of various security entities, including Central Armed Police Forces like the BSF and CRPF, as well as different units of the Odisha Police, such as the Special Operations Group (SOG), Special Intelligence Wing (SIW), and District Voluntary Force (DVF).
“In total, 77 Maoists have surrendered to the Odisha Police, while 23 active Maoist members from Odisha have also laid down their arms in Chhattisgarh. During this timeframe, security forces have successfully neutralized 27 Maoists in various operations, including 17 cadres—among them a Central Committee member of CPI (Maoist)—who were killed near the Nuapada-Gariaband border on January 25, 2025, in a joint operation involving Odisha Police, Chhattisgarh Police, and additional security forces,” stated DGP Khurania.
He further informed the press that, according to recent assessments, the number of active Maoists in the state has dwindled to single digits. Khurania noted that a small faction continues to operate within the forests of the Kandhamal–Rayagada–Kalahandi region, and security forces are engaged in ongoing combing operations to capture them.
The Odisha DGP reiterated his appeal for the remaining Maoists to surrender their arms and take advantage of the benefits under the new rehabilitation and surrender policy established by the state government.
Point of View
The surrender of 77 Maoists in Odisha marks a significant step towards addressing the Maoist insurgency. The DGP's appeal to remaining cadres highlights a proactive approach in promoting peace and rehabilitation, aligning with national security objectives.
NationPress
3 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Maoists have surrendered in Odisha?
A total of 77 Maoists have surrendered to the Odisha Police recently.
What is the current status of active Maoists in Odisha?
The number of active Maoists in the state has reportedly decreased to single digits.
What operations led to the neutralization of Maoists?
Coordinated efforts by various security forces resulted in the neutralization of 27 Maoists during recent operations.
What is the state's new policy for Maoist rehabilitation?
The state has introduced a new rehabilitation and surrender policy to encourage remaining Maoists to surrender and reintegrate into society.
Who is Y.B. Khurania?
Y.B. Khurania is the Director General of Police for Odisha.
