In a moment that marks the end of a violent era, Malkangiri — once the undisputed epicenter of Maoist activity in Odisha — was officially declared "Naxal-free" on Wednesday. The announcement followed the high-profile surrender of Sukhram Markam, a veteran rebel leader who had carried a staggering ₹21 lakh bounty on his head.
Markam, a key area committee member of the outlawed CPI (Maoist), didn't come in empty-handed; he turned over an SLR rifle and a stash of ammunition to the police. Malkangiri SP Binod Patil H described the surrender as the "final blow" to the insurgent movement in the region. Markam, known by aliases like Suresh and Yogesh, even appeared at a press conference alongside the SP, publicly declaring his intent to leave the armed struggle and rejoin the mainstream.
This isn't just another arrest; it’s a symbolic victory for the state. Odisha's Malkangiri declared 'Naxal-free' As one retired DGP recalled, the violence that started in these forests eventually infected 21 of Odisha’s 30 districts. For decades, the district was considered the most dangerous terrain in the state, a place where the "red corridor" was most firmly entrenched.
The timing is also significant, coming just days after neighbouring Nabarangpur was similarly declared Maoist-free following a string of surrenders in Chhattisgarh.
According to the SP, Markam was involved in a long list of violent incidents across Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh. Despite his history, he will be eligible for the state government’s rehabilitation package, which is designed to entice remaining rebels to lay down their arms by offering financial aid and a path back to civilian life.
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