Bhubaneswar: In a significant breakthrough in Odisha’s anti-Maoist operations, a hardcore Maoist couple from Chhattisgarh, active for several years in the Kandhamal region—surrendered before the state police on Sunday. The duo, identified as Unga Kalmu alias Kishore (25) and his wife Mase Madvi (22), both belonging to Sukma district, laid down arms before Niti Shekhar, Inspector General of Police (Southern Range), and Kandhamal SP Harisha BC at the District Police Office in Phulbani.
The couple, who joined CPI (Maoist) in 2018, were part of the Bansadhara-Ghumsar-Nagabali (BGN) division, one of the most active units operating along the Odisha–Chhattisgarh border. Police sources said their primary task was to help the Maoist organisation reactivate the critical North–South corridor connecting Jharkhand to Chhattisgarh through central and southern Odisha. Both cadres were involved in several violent incidents in the two states during their seven-year association with the extremist outfit.
Disillusionment with Maoist Activities Led to Surrender
According to police, the couple decided to quit the organisation after becoming increasingly disillusioned with its internal functioning. In their statement to the authorities, they cited several unethical practices within the outfit, including sexual harassment of women cadres, extortion of villagers and local traders, and the forced recruitment of young boys and girls through false promises and propaganda.
They also expressed frustration over the high-handed behaviour of senior Maoist leaders, who they said treated lower-rank cadres with humiliation and used them for dangerous tasks without proper support. Additionally, they pointed out that Maoists in the BGN division were increasingly promoting cannabis cultivation, illegal trade, and the disruption of democratic processes during elections.
Intensified anti-Maoist operations in the deep forest pockets of Kandhamal also left them under constant pressure. The couple admitted that continuous police movements, surveillance, and combing operations made their underground life increasingly difficult. They added that they were inspired by various welfare measures, infrastructure development, and tribal upliftment initiatives being implemented by the Odisha government.
Disillusioned by the intensified and sustained combing operations and due to the attractive surrender policy of the Government two hardcore Maoists (Husband-Wife) namely Unga Kalmu @ Kishor (PM) of BGN Division and Mase Madvi (PM) of BGN Division surrendered before IGP Southern… pic.twitter.com/4ANOQs6xU2
— SP KANDHAMAL (@spkandhamal) November 16, 2025
The Kandhamal SP had earlier reached out to several Maoist cadres through posters and letters, assuring them peaceful surrender and comprehensive rehabilitation. The couple said these assurances motivated them to choose the path of peace and join mainstream society.
Under the Odisha Government’s Surrender and Rehabilitation Scheme, they will receive financial assistance, homestead land, housing support, education benefits, vocational training with a monthly stipend, and assistance for safe reintegration into society. Police said several Maoist cadres in the region have been neutralised or have surrendered this year due to intensified operations and enhanced community outreach.
Welcoming the duo’s decision, IGP Niti Shekhar urged other disillusioned cadres to abandon violence and return to normal life. He stressed that anti-Maoist operations will continue with greater intensity until extremism is completely eliminated from the state.
DVF Recovers Maoist Dump in Kandhamal Forest
Meanwhile, in a separate operation on the same day, a team of the District Voluntary Force (DVF), Kandhamal recovered a Maoist dump near Pangurmila village under Baliguda Police Station limits. During a routine combing operation, the team discovered several items buried underground.
The seized materials include drums, mortar shells, detonators, booby-trap batteries, solar plates, explosives, fuse wires, polythene sheets, clothing, blankets, utensils, food items such as rice and salt, medicines, tiffin boxes, batteries, and camping utilities. Police said the recovery indicates Maoist attempts to store supplies for future operations.
Search operations have been intensified in the neighbouring forest belts to prevent regrouping of Maoist units and block supply chains.
