Bhubaneswar: As the deadline set by the central government to eliminate Maoist activities across the country approaches, the Odisha Police has achieved another significant breakthrough in its ongoing anti-Naxal operations. In a major development in Kandhamal district, ten Maoist cadres surrendered along with their weapons before the state’s Additional Director General of Police (Anti-Naxal Operations), Sanjeeb Panda. Officials believe that the surrender is an important step toward making the district—and eventually the entire state—free from Maoist influence.
Intelligence Inputs and Maoist Presence in Border Areas
According to senior police officials, intelligence reports had indicated that around 25 Maoist cadres were active in the forested border areas of Kandhamal, Kalahandi and Rayagada districts. These cadres were reportedly operating under the leadership of Maoist commanders Shukru and Sheela, who have been associated with several insurgent activities in the region.
Speaking to reporters after the surrender ceremony, ADG Sanjeeb Panda confirmed the details of the development. He stated that a total of ten Maoists, including one State Committee Member, one Divisional Committee Member, two Area Committee Members and six party members, had surrendered before the police. All of them are residents of neighbouring Chhattisgarh and had deposited ten firearms along with other ammunition. He also noted that the government had announced a combined reward of ₹1.15 crore on these Maoist cadres.
Surrender Programme Conducted Under Tight Security
The surrender programme was organised at the Madikunda Reserve Police Ground in Phulbani, the district headquarters of Kandhamal. The event took place under tight security arrangements, with personnel from the Odisha Police and central armed forces deployed to ensure the smooth conduct of the programme.
During the ceremony, the Maoist cadres formally laid down their weapons before the authorities, symbolically renouncing the path of violence and expressing their willingness to return to the mainstream of society. The surrender was conducted in accordance with the state government’s established procedures for rehabilitating insurgents who voluntarily give up armed struggle.
Senior officials present at the event described the ceremony as a positive indicator that the combined strategy of sustained security operations and rehabilitation incentives is encouraging Maoist cadres to surrender.
🚨𝗠𝗔𝗝𝗢𝗥 𝗦𝗘𝗧𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗞 𝗧𝗢 𝗖𝗣𝗜 (𝗠𝗔𝗢𝗜𝗦𝗧)🚨
10 Maoists, including State Committee Member Sanu Pottam @ Nitu (₹55L reward), surrendered before ADG A.N.O. Odisha at Phulbani, handing over 10 weapons. With a total bounty of ₹1.15 Cr, the group operated in KKBN… pic.twitter.com/v2p10z3bd7— SP KANDHAMAL (@spkandhamal) March 11, 2026
Senior Maoist Leader Among Those Who Surrendered
Among the ten individuals who surrendered, the most prominent figure was Sanu Pottam alias Neetu (48). Pottam is a resident of Kursil village under the Gangloor police station in Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh. He joined the Maoist organisation in 1997 and gradually rose through the ranks over nearly three decades.
During his time in the insurgent group, he became a State Committee Member of the KKBN Division of the CPI (Maoist), making him one of the senior leaders operating in the region. Due to his role in several Maoist activities, the government had announced a reward of ₹65 lakh for information leading to his arrest.
Another significant surrender was that of Shantei Salam alias Anupa (45), who is Pottam’s wife and also held an important position within the Maoist organisation as a Divisional Committee Member. A resident of Rajbeda village in Chhattisgarh, she had joined the Maoist movement in 1998 and remained active in the insurgent network for more than two decades.
During the surrender ceremony, she deposited an INSAS rifle, which she had been carrying as part of her role within the organisation.
Other Maoist Cadres Who Laid Down Arms
Apart from the two senior leaders, eight other Maoist cadres also surrendered before the authorities. These individuals had been associated with Maoist activities in different capacities within the organisation.
The surrendered cadres include Laxmi Madvi alias Sangeeta, Sunil Telam, Manjulata Punem alias Shilpa, Ramvati Wayam alias Jamuna, Ganesh Kunjam, Sushila Dudi, Sarita Kuhudam and Chhodi Yogi alias Rajni.
Out of the ten individuals who surrendered, seven are women and three are men. Officials noted that the high number of women among the surrendered cadres reflects the level of female participation in Maoist activities in some insurgency-affected areas.
All the cadres formally handed over their weapons and ammunition and expressed their willingness to abandon armed struggle and reintegrate into mainstream society.
Weapons and Ammunition Deposited
During the surrender, the Maoist cadres handed over a total of ten firearms to the police. The weapons included two INSAS rifles, two Self-Loading Rifles (SLRs), three .303 rifles, two single-shot guns and one 12-bore gun.
Along with these firearms, a considerable quantity of ammunition was also deposited. Police officials confirmed that the weapons were taken into custody and would be examined as part of ongoing investigations into Maoist activities in the region.
Rehabilitation Policy and Financial Assistance
The Odisha government has introduced a comprehensive surrender and rehabilitation policy aimed at encouraging Maoist cadres to give up violence and return to normal life. The policy offers financial assistance, vocational training and other forms of support to help surrendered cadres reintegrate into society.
According to police sources, the group of ten surrendered Maoists includes one State Committee Member, one Divisional Committee Member, two Area Committee Members and six party members. The reward amounts declared on them collectively totalled approximately Rs 1.15 crore.
In addition to the reward component, the surrendered individuals are also eligible for about ₹40 lakh in additional financial assistance under the state government’s rehabilitation scheme. Overall, the total financial support package available to them could reach approximately Rs 1.55 crore.
Officials believe that such incentives, combined with sustained security operations, are playing an important role in persuading Maoist cadres to abandon insurgent activities.
Declining Influence of Maoists in Odisha
Speaking on the occasion, ADG Sanjeeb Panda stated that the surrender of senior cadres clearly indicates that the influence of Left-Wing Extremism in the region is gradually weakening. He emphasised that continuous operations carried out by security forces have significantly disrupted the organisational structure and operational capabilities of Maoist groups.
These operations have been conducted jointly by the Special Operations Group (SOG) of the Odisha Police, the District Voluntary Force (DVF), the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the Border Security Force (BSF).
Officials also pointed out that the death of Maoist Central Committee Member Ganesh Uike in Kandhamal district in December 2025 had created significant pressure within the Maoist ranks. Combined with sustained security operations, this development has reportedly led to growing demoralisation among Maoist cadres.
As a result, many members of the organisation are now choosing to surrender and return to civilian life rather than continue armed activities.
Maoist Strength in the State Reduced
Following this latest surrender, security agencies estimate that the number of active armed Maoist cadres operating in Odisha has now been reduced to around 25.
Their activities are believed to be largely confined to remote forest areas along the border regions of Kandhamal, Kalahandi and Rayagada districts. Security forces have intensified surveillance and patrols in these regions to prevent the regrouping of insurgent elements.
ADG Panda stated that joint operations involving the SOG, DVF, CRPF and BSF will be further intensified in the coming months. The aim is to persuade the remaining Maoist cadres to surrender or to apprehend them through coordinated operations.
The surrender programme was attended by several senior police and security officials, highlighting the importance of the development. Among those present were CRPF Inspector General Amitendra Nath Sinha, Southern Range IG Niti Shekhar, IG Operations Dr. Deepak Kumar, DIG Akhileshwar Singh, Kandhamal Superintendent of Police Harish B.C., and Additional Superintendent of Police Ramendra Prasad, along with other officials.
Their presence reflected the coordinated efforts of state and central security forces in addressing the Maoist challenge.
Odisha Moving Toward Becoming Maoist-Free
Police authorities also highlighted that several districts in Odisha have already been declared Maoist-free. These include Nuapada, Nabarangpur, Malkangiri, Koraput, Boudh and Balangir.
With sustained security operations and increasing numbers of surrenders, the state government remains optimistic about eliminating Maoist activity across the state in the near future.
Odisha Police has set an ambitious target of making the entire state Maoist-free by March 31, 2026. Officials believe that continuous pressure on Maoist groups, combined with effective rehabilitation measures, will encourage more cadres to abandon violence and join the mainstream.
Concluding his remarks, ADG Sanjeeb Panda appealed to the remaining Maoist cadres to give up armed struggle and surrender before the police. He urged them to take advantage of the government’s rehabilitation programme and rebuild their lives as responsible members of society while securing a better future for their families.
