Bihar Government Declares State Maoist-Free Following Major Surrender
The Bihar government made a significant announcement on Wednesday, claiming that the state has now become completely free from Maoist activity. This declaration came after the high-profile surrender of Suresh Koda, also known as Mustakim, before the Special Task Force (STF) and deputy inspector general of police in Munger district.
End of a 25-Year Manhunt
Suresh Koda, a key member of the Maoist special area committee (SAC), had been evading authorities for an astonishing 25 years. The police had placed a substantial reward of Rs 3 lakh for information leading to his capture. His surrender represents a major breakthrough in Bihar's long-standing battle against left-wing extremism.
Kundan Krishnan, director general of operations and intelligence, stated emphatically: "With this surrender, there are no more armed, active left-wing extremists operating within Bihar's borders. We will maintain strict monitoring protocols to ensure the state remains permanently free from Maoist influence."
Weapons and Criminal History
The surrendered Maoist leader handed over an impressive arsenal to authorities, including:
- Two Insas rifles
- One AK-47 assault rifle
- One AK-56 rifle
- 505 rounds of ammunition (215 Insas, 197 SLR, and 93 AK-47 cartridges)
- Ten weapon magazines
Police records reveal that Suresh Koda faced sixty criminal cases across Munger, Lakhisarai, and Jamui districts. His extensive criminal history includes:
- The 2008 and 2010 killings of village watchmen
- A 2012 explosion at the Khaira block office
- The 2014 abduction of workers in Jamui district
- The 2017 murder of a deputy mukhiya's husband in Lakhisarai
- Multiple killings in 2018, including two brothers in Barhat and an SSB jawan
- Arson attacks on construction vehicles in 2018 and 2021
- The 2019 murders in Chanan
- The 2021 killing of a newly elected mukhiya in Munger
Additionally, he participated in several armed encounters with STF and CoBRA forces between 2016 and 2022.
Surrender and Rehabilitation Policy
According to police officials, Suresh Koda's surrender resulted from sustained anti-Maoist operations combined with the effective implementation of the state government's surrender and rehabilitation policy. His surrender follows those of several other Maoist operatives, including Bahadur Koda, Narayan Koda, and Binod Koda on December 28, 2025, and Bhola Koda in July 2025.
Under the rehabilitation scheme, Suresh Koda will receive:
- The Rs 3 lakh reward originally offered for his capture
- An additional Rs 5 lakh incentive
- Rs 10,000 per month for 36 months, totaling Rs 3.6 lakh
- An extra Rs 71,515 for the surrendered weapons
This comprehensive rehabilitation package represents the government's commitment to encouraging Maoist operatives to abandon violence and reintegrate into mainstream society.
