NewKerala.com

4 Maoists, Including 3 Women, Surrender in Odisha's Berhampur

Four active Maoist cadres, including three women, surrendered before police in Berhampur, Odisha. The surrendered individuals hail from Chhattisgarh and were involved in violent encounters. They cited intense anti-Maoist operations and the state's attractive rehabilitation policy as key reasons for leaving the path of violence. Police officials announced that Boudh district is now Maoist-free and expect Kandhamal to follow soon.

Key Points: Maoists Surrender in Odisha, Districts Declared Naxal-Free

  • 4 Maoists surrender in Berhampur
  • Three of the four are women cadres
  • Surrendered cite intense police ops & rehab policy
  • Boudh district declared Maoist-free
  • Kandhamal expected to be free soon
3 min read

Odisha: 4 Maoists lay down arms in Berhampur

Four active Maoist cadres surrender in Berhampur, citing intense police operations and government rehabilitation policy. Odisha police announce progress toward Naxal-free districts.

"We realised that there is no future in this path of violence. - Ganga Kunjami"

Berhampur, February 7

In a significant breakthrough for anti-insurgency operations, four active Maoist cadres, including three women, surrendered before Southern Range Inspector General Niti Shekhar at the Police Reserve Office in Berhampur on Friday.

During the press briefing by IG Niti Shekhar, he said, "Today, four members of the CPI (Maoist) KKBN division have surrendered before the Kandhamal Police.Out of these four, three are women, and one is a man. All of them originally hail from various districts in Chhattisgarh, including Sukma, Bijapur, and Dantewada. They have been involved in several violent encounters and criminal cases. However, due to the intensified anti-Maoist operations by the Odisha Police and the attractive surrender and rehabilitation policy of the State Government, they decided to join the mainstream. I am also pleased to announce that with these ongoing efforts, Boudh district has now become completely Maoist-free completely. We expect Kandhamal district to be Naxal-free very soon as well."

Ganga Kunjami, a surrendered Maoist, said, "We were working with the KKBN division. We realised that there is no future in this path of violence. Our leaders have also died in recent operations. The police operations in the forests have become very intense, and we can no longer hide. We observed that many others are surrendering and seeking government assistance. We decided to proceed. I want to tell my other friends who are still in the jungle: please leave the path of violence, come out, and surrender to the police. The government will help you start a new life."

Earlier, Odisha DGP Yogesh Bahadur Khurania, on the surrender of the top leader of Maoists, said, "Top Maoist leaders Niranjan Rout alias Nikhil and Rashmita Lenka aka Indu, along with 13 others surrender before the Rayagada police. 4 Maoist surrender before the Kandhamal police. Odisha police got success in 2025. The deadline is in March 2026.

Previously, in Malkangiri, Odisha, an underground CPI (Maoist) cadre renounced violence and joined the mainstream before the Malkangiri Police. In a major blow to the banned CPI (Maoist) organisation, one ACM (Area Committee Member) rank underground CPI (Maoist) cadre renounces violence and joins the mainstream before the Malkangiri Police. During the surrender, the cadre also laid down one SLR rifle, 12 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition and other articles.

The surrendered cadre formally renounced violence, severed all links with extremist activities, and opted to join the mainstream of society, expressing faith in the democratic process.

This surrender of an operational and ideological CPI (Maoist) leader marks a final blow to CPI (Maoist) cadres in Malkangiri, making the Malkangiri District Naxal-free.

- ANI

Share this article:

Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As someone who has visited Odisha, it's heartening to hear about districts becoming Maoist-free. The development and peace this brings for local communities is immeasurable. The police and administration deserve credit for their sustained efforts.
P
Priya S
The fact that three of the four who surrendered are women is telling. Often, they are recruited or forced into these groups with promises that are never fulfilled. Ganga Kunjami's appeal to her friends in the jungle is powerful. Real change starts when former members speak out.
R
Rohit P
Good step, but the real test is the rehabilitation. We've seen cases where surrendered cadres struggle to find jobs or face social stigma. The government must ensure the promised assistance is delivered properly and they are not just left in the lurch after the headlines fade.
V
Vikram M
"Boudh district now completely Maoist-free" - This is a massive achievement for the security forces and a relief for the residents. Hope Kandhamal follows soon. This creates a stable environment for much-needed infrastructure and education projects in these regions.
M
Michael C
The combination of intense police operations and a viable surrender policy is a smart strategy. It applies pressure while offering an exit. The laying down of weapons, especially the SLR rifle mentioned earlier, is a tangible symbol of renouncing violence.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50