Odisha Police have officially declared the districts of Bolangir and Bargarh "Naxal-free", marking a major breakthrough in the state's long-standing battle against Left-Wing Extremism. The announcement follows the surrender of 15 Maoists — the entire remaining strength of the local division — who laid down their arms on Sunday.
The surrenders took place across the border in Chhattisgarh’s Mahasamund district. Among those who joined the mainstream was the veteran leader Sudarshan, also known as Bikash, a 64-year-old Special Zonal Committee member who had carried a bounty of ₹55 lakh on his head. With this group now in custody, the Bargarh–Bolangir–Mahasamund (BBM) division has effectively been dismantled.
Director General of Police YB Khurania described the development as a "historic milestone," noting that the infamous Gandhamardan hills, once a dense Maoist stronghold spanning the two districts, have finally returned to peace. This success brings the total number of Naxal-free districts in Odisha to seven, joining Nuapada, Nabarangpur, Koraput, Malkangiri, and Boudh.
However, the job is not yet finished. While the western belt has been cleared, police are now shifting their full focus to the forests of Kandhamal, Rayagada, and Kalahandi. A major offensive is currently underway in the Daringbadi region of Kandhamal to track down Sukru, the state’s most-wanted Maoist leader, who is believed to be leading a splinter group of about 25 cadres.
"The decline in insurgency is a result of sustained intelligence and local cooperation," Khurania added. "We are committed to meeting the national target of a Naxal-free state by March 2026."
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