Odisha DGP Khurania Reviews Maoist Operations in Kandhamal
Kandhamal: Odisha Director General of Police (DGP) Y.B. Khurania visited Kandhamal district to review ongoing anti‑Maoist operations and inaugurate an indoor sports complex at the police reserve in Madikunda.
Arriving by helicopter, Khurania was received by senior officers and later interacted with personnel from the Special Operations Group (SOG), District Voluntary Force (DVF), and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).
He praised their counter‑insurgency efforts and highlighted recent breakthroughs against Maoist groups.
According to the DGP, intensified operations have reduced Maoist presence in Odisha to single digits, with only one small group active in the Kandhamal‑Rayagada‑Kalahandi belt.
He noted that 77 Maoists surrendered in Odisha, 23 in Chhattisgarh, and 27 were neutralised in encounters.
A major success was the surrender of top Maoist leader Kasha Sodi alias Sukru, who carried a Rs 55 lakh bounty, on March 24–25. Khurania urged remaining Maoists to surrender, warning of direct confrontation otherwise.
Senior officers, including ADGP Sanjeeb Panda, DIG Akhileshvar Singh, DIG Niti Shekhar, BSF officer Ajay Kumar, and SP Harish Bisi, accompanied the DGP during the visit.
