Bolangir, Odisha — The Odisha police have declared Nabarangpur district Maoist-free, following the surrender of the last nine active cadres of the region in neighbouring Chhattisgarh on Saturday.

Background

Nabarangpur district has been plagued by Left-wing extremism (LWE) for decades, witnessing several violent incidents orchestrated by Maoists. The district, which borders Chhattisgarh, did not report Maoist-related activity for the past five years. The development marks a significant achievement for Odisha police, aligning with the Centre’s target of eliminating LWE nationwide by March 31.

Community Impact

The Maoists, who belonged to Chhattisgarh, included two divisional committee members and carried a combined bounty of Rs 47 lakh. Seven of them are women. “They had been active in Nabarangpur district of Odisha and Dhamtari in Chhattisgarh under the Odisha state committee of CPI (Maoist). With their surrender, we believe Nabarangpur is now free of Maoist presence. However, we will continue to remain vigilant,” said ADG (anti-Naxal operations) Sanjeeb Panda. The surrender of the Maoists has brought relief to the people of Nabarangpur district, who have been living in fear of Maoist activities for a long time.

What Happens Next

The development marks a significant achievement for Odisha police, aligning with the Centre’s target of eliminating LWE nationwide by March 31. With Nabarangpur declared Maoist-free, the focus will now shift to the remaining districts where Maoist influence is still present. Of Odisha’s 30 districts, Maoist influence now remains confined to pockets in just seven districts of Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Balangir, Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, and Boudh. The police will continue to remain vigilant and take necessary measures to ensure that the Maoist presence is completely eradicated from the state.