Odisha Governor Reports Major Gains Against Maoist Insurgency
Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati presented a detailed account of the state's efforts against Left-wing extremism in the Odisha Assembly on Tuesday. He revealed that over the past five years, security forces have achieved substantial results in curbing Maoist activities across the region.
Comprehensive Statistics on Maoist Neutralization
The governor disclosed that a total of 48 Maoists have been eliminated in Odisha during this period. Additionally, law enforcement agencies have arrested 78 insurgents and witnessed 82 surrenders. These figures underscore the government's sustained commitment to addressing the threat of Left-wing extremism through both operational and administrative measures.
Kambhampati emphasized that the state has achieved significant success in tackling Maoist activities, leading to a marked improvement in the overall security situation. He attributed this progress to coordinated efforts between various security agencies and strategic administrative interventions.
Detailed Breakdown of 2025 Operations
Providing specific data for the year 2025, the governor reported that 25 Maoists were killed during that period. Notably, 17 of these eliminations occurred in joint operations conducted along the Nuapada (Odisha)-Gariyabandh (Chhattisgarh) border. These operations involved collaboration between Odisha police, Chhattisgarh police, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and the Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA).
In the same year, security forces arrested nine Maoist cadres and secured 29 surrenders. The operations also resulted in the seizure of large quantities of arms, ammunition, explosives, and other incriminating materials, significantly weakening the insurgents' operational capabilities.
National Context and Remaining Challenges
The Central government has set March 31 as the deadline for making the country Naxal-free. According to a recent reply in the Lok Sabha by Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai, Kandhamal remains the only district in Odisha where Maoist presence continues to be reported. Nationally, Kandhamal is one of just eight districts across India where such presence persists, highlighting both the progress made and the ongoing challenges.
Substantial Police Infrastructure Expansion
Governor Kambhampati detailed the state government's major institutional expansion to strengthen policing between July 2024 and December 2025. This comprehensive enhancement includes:
- Creation of three battalions of the Odisha Special Striking Force
- Establishment of three units of the Odisha Industrial Security Force
- Formation of 10 new Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force units
- Opening of 21 cyber and economic offences police stations
- Establishment of a new police district at Rairangpur
These measures represent a significant investment in law enforcement infrastructure, designed to improve response capabilities, enhance specialized policing, and create a more robust security framework across the state.
The governor's comprehensive presentation to the Assembly demonstrates Odisha's multi-faceted approach to combating Left-wing extremism, combining direct security operations with strategic institutional development to create lasting security improvements.
