Only around 40 Maoists active in Odisha now: CM

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday told the Assembly that the Left Wing Extremism (LWE) situation in the state has improved significantly, with only around 40 Maoists now active across six districts.

Replying to a written question by BJD MLA Dhruba Charan Sahoo , Majhi, who holds the home portfolio , said Maoists are operating in small splinter groups in parts of Kalahandi, Rayagada, Kandhamal, Boudh, Bolangir and Bargarh. The state aims to eliminate LWE by March 31, 2026, in line with the Centre’s target of making the country Maoist-free.

Kandhamal is now the only district in Odisha classified under the “Other LWE Affected District” category of the Centre’s Security Related Expenditure (SRE) scheme. Eight districts earlier categorised as severely affected, Malkangiri, Koraput, Nuapada, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Rayagada, Boudh and Bolangir ,have been downgraded to the “Legacy & Thrust” category.

Additional Director General of Police (Anti-Naxal Operations) Sanjeeb Panda said the Odisha Police is currently focusing operations in Kandhamal, where two Maoists, including an Area Committee Member (ACM), were killed in an encounter on Sunday.

Police officials said the remaining Maoist presence is led by Sukru , a state committee member of the Communist Party of India (Maoist) , believed to be hiding in Kandhamal forests. Two other mid-level leaders Rama , an ACM active along the Kandhamal–Rayagada border, and Bikram , an ACM involved in logistics in the Gandhamardan Hills spanning Bargarh and Bolangir are also still active with small squads.

Officials attributed the decline in insurgency to sustained intelligence-driven operations, leadership attrition, disruption of supply chains, increased use of surveillance technology and improved coordination with central forces. Development outreach in tribal areas, including better road connectivity, welfare delivery, healthcare and livelihood opportunities, has reduced local support for Maoists and weakened recruitment.

However, police cautioned that the risk of regrouping remains, especially in forested tri-junction areas , and stressed the need for continued vigilance . Close coordination with neighbouring states such as Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh , including intelligence sharing and joint operations, has helped restrict cross-border movement.

Majhi said the state has deployed nearly 7,000 central force personnel along with specialised state units and revised its Maoist surrender and rehabilitation policy, offering incentives higher than neighbouring states. Since November last year , 45 Maoists have surrendered.

Police said LWE activity is now largely confined to limited pockets, and expressed confidence that sustained security pressure combined with development measures would help Odisha achieve Maoist-free status within the stipulated timeframe.