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Odisha's Koraput Declared Naxal-Free After Top Woman Maoist Surrenders

A hardcore woman Maoist cadre, identified as Mamata Podiami, surrendered before police in Koraput, Odisha. She was an Area Committee Member of the banned CPI (Maoist) organization and laid down an SLR rifle with ammunition. Following her surrender, the Odisha Police declared Koraput district free from Left-Wing Extremism, a day after Malkangiri district received the same status. The surrendered cadre is eligible for financial benefits under the state's rehabilitation policy as the government pushes to eliminate LWE nationally by 2026.

Key Points: Koraput Declared Naxal-Free After Maoist Leader Surrenders

  • Top woman Maoist surrenders
  • Koraput declared Naxal-free
  • Arms and ammunition laid down
  • Rehabilitation policy offers financial reward
  • Government aims to end LWE by 2026
2 min read

Odisha: Hardcore woman Maoist surrenders in Koraput, police announce LWE-free status

A hardcore woman Maoist cadre surrenders in Odisha, leading police to declare Koraput district LWE-free. She laid down arms under a rehabilitation policy.

"A day after Malkangiri district was declared Naxal-free, we are today declaring Koraput district Naxal-free following the surrender. - Kanwar Vishal Singh"

Bhubaneswar, Feb 5

A hardcore underground woman cadre of the banned CPI organisation on Thursday surrendered before the Koraput police in Odisha.

The surrendered woman Maoist, identified as Mamata Podiami alias Mamita and Soni, is a resident of Bijapur district in neighbouring Chhattisgarh. She was an ACM (Area Committee Member)-ranked cadre of the CPI (Maoist).

With the surrender of Mamata, the Odisha Police on Thursday declared Koraput district, one of the worst-affected districts of Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) in the state, as Naxal-free.

The surrender took place in the presence of senior officials of the Odisha Police and the Border Security Force at Jeypore in Koraput.

During the surrender, the ACM cadre of CPI (Maoist) also laid down one SLR along with 10 live rounds of ammunition.

"A day after Malkangiri district was declared Naxal-free, we are today declaring Koraput district Naxal-free following the surrender," said Kanwar Vishal Singh, DIG, South Western Range, Koraput.

Mamata is also involved in many incidents of exchange of fire (EoF), anti-government and anti-national activities in the bordering areas of Odisha and Chhattisgarh, whose verification is going on.

Speaking to media persons, he further stated that as per the Odisha government's rehabilitation policy, the surrendered woman ACM cadre Maoist will get Rs 5.50 lakh, another Rs 1.65 lakh for surrendering along with the SLR rifle, along with several other financial and related rewards.

It is worth noting that one hardcore ACM-rank CPI (Maoist) cadre, Sukhram Markam alias Suresh and Yogesh, of Sukma district in Chhattisgarh, surrendered before the Malkangiri Police in Odisha on Wednesday.

"This surrender of the operational and ideological CPI (Maoist) leader marks a final blow to CPI (Maoist) cadres in Malkangiri, making the Malkangiri district Naxal-free," the Malkangiri Police announced on Wednesday.

In December last year, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had earlier announced that Odisha stands at the threshold of becoming completely free from LWE.

The government is resolved to eliminate LWE from the country before March 31, 2026.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
Declaring districts as "Naxal-free" is a bold claim. While this surrender is positive, we must ensure development reaches these areas so that the ideology doesn't find ground again. Long-term peace needs more than just police action.
P
Priya S
Good news! But giving over 7 lakhs to someone involved in anti-national activities? I understand the need for a surrender policy, but the amount seems very high for a taxpayer. Hope the verification of her crimes is thorough.
V
Vikram M
Jai Hind! This is the result of our brave police and BSF personnel's hard work. Proud to see Odisha moving towards being completely LWE-free. A strong message to anti-India forces.
R
Rohit P
The focus should now shift to education, jobs, and infrastructure in Koraput and Malkangiri. Without real development in these tribal districts, the problem might resurface. The government must follow through.
K
Kavya N
It's encouraging to see a woman cadre surrendering. Often, they are recruited young from vulnerable backgrounds. Hope her story encourages others to lay down arms and choose the path of peace. 🤝

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