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Odisha Police Hails Success in Removing Naxal Threat, 8 Districts Now Free

Additional Director General Sanjeeb Panda stated that Odisha Police and security forces have achieved significant success in curbing Left-wing extremism. He reported that 27 Naxals were neutralized and 78 surrendered in the state during 2025-26, with eight districts now declared Naxal-free. Panda credited coordinated efforts by state and central forces and thanked the Chief Minister for support. This update aligns with the central government's "Naxal Mukt Bharat" mission, which aims to eradicate the threat by 2026.

Key Points: Odisha's Major Success Against Naxalism: 8 Districts Declared Free

  • 27 Naxals neutralized in 2025-26
  • 78 Naxals surrendered in Odisha
  • 8 districts declared Naxal-free
  • 156 Naxals eliminated in 15 months
2 min read

Odisha Police has been highly successful in removing Naxal threat from state: ADG anti-Naxal ops Sanjeeb Panda

Odisha ADG reports 27 Naxals neutralized, 78 surrendered in state. Security forces praised for making 8 districts Naxal-free, aligning with national mission.

"Odisha Police has been highly successful in removing Naxal threat from Odisha. - Sanjeeb Panda"

Bhubaneswar, March 31

Additional Director General of anti-Naxal operations in Odisha, Sanjeeb Panda on Tuesday said that state police and security forces have achieved significant success in curbing Left-wing extremism across the region.

Speaking to ANI, Panda commended the efforts of the Special Operations Group (SOG), Central Reserve Police Force, Border Security Force, and the intelligence wing for their coordinated operations and dedication. He noted that during 2025-26, security forces neutralised 27 Naxals, including 17 in Gariaband. Additionally, 78 Naxals surrendered before Odisha Police, while 42 laid down arms in neighbouring Chhattisgarh.

"Odisha Police has been highly successful in removing Naxal threat from Odisha. For this success, I congratulate SOG, CRPF, BSF and our intelligence wing for their hard work and dedication. In 2025-26, the security forces neutralised 27 naxals, including 17 naxals in Gariaband. 78 naxals surrendered before the Odisha Police, and 42 naxals surrendered before Chhattisgarh...8 districts in the state have been made Naxal-free. In the last 15 months, we have eliminated 156 naxals from our ecosystem in the state," said Panda.

"I thank our CM for this direction and support. In this fight against naxalism, 239 security personnel laid down their lives...Now, there are only a handful of naxals in the Kandhamal district," he added.

This comes after Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday reflected on the Prime Minsiter Narendra Modi-led central government's efforts in eradicating Naxalism from the country and recognised the Left-wing ideology as the "root cause of Red Terror."

While replying to the discussion in the Lok Sabha under Rule 193 on the efforts to free the country from Naxalism, Amit Shah said that the Left-wing extremists and their supporters had presented a false narrative before innocent tribals that they were fighting for their rights and to deliver justice to them.

He said that Naxalism has now been almost completely eradicated from Bastar, and a campaign has begun to build schools and open ration shops in every village there.

The "Naxal Mukt Bharat" (Naxal-free India) mission is a strategic goal set by the Union Home Ministry under the Modi government to eradicate Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) by March 31, 2026.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
While the reduction in violence is welcome, we must remember the 239 security personnel who sacrificed their lives. Their families need our continued support. Also, the 'surrender' numbers are positive – rehabilitation is key to stopping the cycle of violence.
R
Rohit P
Good work by the forces! But let's be honest, the real test is whether the tribals in these areas finally see real development. Opening ration shops and schools is a good start mentioned by Shah, but what about jobs and ending exploitation by local contractors? The 'root cause' isn't just ideology, it's poverty and injustice.
M
Michael C
As someone who has worked in development in Central India, this is a significant milestone. The statistics on neutralizations and surrenders show a clear strategy is working. The challenge now is governance and winning hearts and minds through sustained socio-economic interventions.
S
Shreya B
🫸🫷 Salute to our brave police and CRPF jawans! Making 8 districts Naxal-free is no small feat. Hope the peace allows for tourism and investment in Odisha's beautiful tribal regions. Our forces are the real heroes.
K
Karthik V
The ADG is right to highlight success, but "only a handful in Kandhamal" means the job isn't finished. We must not become complacent. Intelligence and community policing need to remain sharp to prevent a resurgence. Jai Hind!

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