Amit Shah Felicitates Odisha Police for Making State Naxal‑Free
Bhubaneswar May 19: Union Home Minister Amit Shah felicitated senior Odisha Police officers at Badal Academy Ground, Jagdalpur, for successfully making Odisha Naxal‑free as of March 31, 2026.
DGP Yogesh Bahadur Khurania, ADG (Anti‑Naxal Ops) Sanjeeb Panda, IG Deepak Kumar, DIG Akhileshvar Singh, Kandhamal SP Harisha B C, DSP Santosh Sahu, DSP Sudesh Kumar Bal, and others were honored for their role in dismantling Maoist networks.
Between 2025–2026, Odisha Police neutralized 156 Maoist cadres through encounters, arrests, and surrenders.
Notably, 78 cadres surrendered, including senior leaders.
Joint operations with Chhattisgarh eliminated 27 Maoists, among them top leaders Chalapathi and Ganesh Uike.
ADG Panda confirmed that Maoist recruitment has collapsed in Odisha.
However, Special Operation Group (SOG), District Voluntary Force, CRPF, and BSF will remain deployed for two more years to prevent resurgence.
Authorities suspect the last 8–9 Maoist foot soldiers fled to Kerala for jobs.
Odisha Police has shared details with Kerala Police and railway authorities.
Meanwhile, combing operations continue in Kandhamal forests, with efforts to recover looted arms.
The ceremony was attended by officers from other Naxal‑affected states, marking Odisha’s achievement as a milestone in India’s anti‑insurgency efforts.
