Kandhamal Emerges as Odisha's Lone Maoist District as National Deadline Nears
With the Central government's March 31 deadline for achieving a Naxal-free India rapidly approaching, Kandhamal district in Odisha has emerged as a significant focal point. According to official data presented in Parliament, Kandhamal stands as the solitary district in Odisha—and one of merely eight across the entire country—that remains under the influence of Maoist insurgency.
Parliamentary Revelation and National Context
This critical status was formally disclosed through a written reply by Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai, in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday. The information was provided in response to a query raised by Puri Member of Parliament, Sambit Patra. The national landscape reveals that among the eight districts still grappling with Maoist presence, the state of Chhattisgarh accounts for six, while Jharkhand contributes one, alongside Odisha's Kandhamal.
Odisha's Classification System and Progress
The Odisha Police employs a detailed four-tier classification system to categorize regions affected by Left-Wing Extremism (LWE). These categories are: most affected, districts of concern, other-LWE affected, and legacy and thrust zones. Kandhamal currently falls under the other-LWE affected category, indicating persistent but targeted challenges.
In a testament to the state's sustained counter-insurgency efforts, eight other districts—Kalahandi, Balangir, Malkangiri, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Nuapada, Rayagada, and Boudh—are now classified as legacy and thrust zones. This classification signifies that extremist activities in these areas have either been completely eradicated or are in their final stages of elimination.
Historical Context and Police Confidence
Minister Rai's parliamentary reply highlights Odisha's decades-long battle against the LWE menace, which first gained prominence in the mid-1980s. Reflecting on this journey, Additional Director General (Anti-Naxal Operations) Sanjeeb Panda stated, "We once had 21 districts affected by LWE, with the situation peaking in 2004. Today, only Kandhamal remains, and we are confident it will be freed by the March 31 deadline."
Recent successes bolster this confidence. Just last month, Odisha police officially declared Nuapada and Nabarangpur districts as Maoist-free. This milestone followed the surrender of the last active cadres from these districts, who were operating from neighboring Chhattisgarh.
Intensified Operations in Kandhamal
Security forces have significantly ramped up intelligence-based operations within Kandhamal. In a show of strategic oversight, Director General of Police Y B Khurania personally visited the district on January 30 to review the ground situation and bolster the morale of the Special Operations Group and local police personnel.
The year 2025 underscored Kandhamal's status as the epicenter of remaining Maoist activity in Odisha. All six Maoist casualties recorded in the state during that year occurred within this district. A particularly notable success was achieved during a decisive two-day operation on December 24 and 25, which resulted in the elimination of central committee member Ganesh Uike. Uike was recognized as a key strategist for the Maoist movement in Odisha, making his neutralization a significant morale booster for security forces and a substantial setback for the insurgents.
Fortifying Against Resurgence
To prevent any potential Maoist resurgence and secure the district ahead of the deadline, Kandhamal has been strategically fortified. Authorities have established four new Border Security Force (BSF) company operating bases at identified vulnerable points across the district, creating a stronger security grid.
As the countdown to the national deadline continues, all eyes remain on Kandhamal, representing the final chapter in Odisha's long campaign to eradicate the shadow of Left-wing extremism from its territory.
