Odisha Escalates Financial Incentives in Maoist Surrender Strategy
The Odisha government has implemented a strategic revision of its Maoist surrender and rehabilitation policy, positioning financial rewards significantly higher than those offered by neighboring Chhattisgarh. Police authorities confirmed on Friday that bounties on Naxal leaders' heads are now set at 10% above Chhattisgarh's rates, marking a substantial escalation in the state's counter-insurgency approach.
This enhanced reward structure represents a four to five-fold increase compared to the last policy revision in 2014, specifically designed to encourage Maoist cadres—approximately 95% of whom originate from Chhattisgarh—to surrender within Odisha's borders. Law enforcement believes this financial incentive will significantly weaken Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) operations across the state.
Revised Reward Structure Details
According to Additional Director General (anti-Naxal operations) Sanjeeb Panda, the new policy creates substantial financial disparities favoring surrender in Odisha. A central committee member who carries a ₹1 crore bounty in Chhattisgarh can now receive ₹1.10 crore in Odisha, a dramatic increase from the previous ₹25 lakh offering. Furthermore, the state government will provide an additional ₹10 lakh, bringing the total potential reward to ₹1.20 crore for top-level leaders.
The revised policy extends across all hierarchy levels within Maoist organizations. State committee or special zonal committee members, eligible for ₹50 lakh in Chhattisgarh, will now receive ₹55 lakh in Odisha, compared to the earlier cap of ₹20 lakh. Even the lowest-rung Dalam or party members, offered ₹1.5 lakh in Chhattisgarh, will get ₹1.65 lakh in Odisha, up from the previous ₹1 lakh.
The existing practice ensures that if a Maoist surrenders voluntarily, they receive the entire reward amount. However, if capture occurs through police operations with informant assistance, the bounty money is shared between law enforcement and the informants.
Strategic Objectives and Public Appeal
ADG Panda made a direct appeal to Maoists, urging them to abandon violence and embrace Odisha's surrender and rehabilitation policy. He also highlighted that general citizens become eligible for rewards if their information leads to Maoist arrests, creating a broader network of intelligence gathering.
Police authorities anticipate this revised policy will reverse the declining surrender trend witnessed in recent years. Historical data shows that between 2006 and November 2025, at least 587 Maoists—primarily state, divisional, and area committee members—surrendered in Odisha. However, numbers have significantly decreased recently, with only 24 surrenders recorded in 2024 and a mere six in 2025 thus far.
Key factors driving surrenders include intensified security operations creating fear among cadres, attractive rehabilitation packages, and diminishing ideological commitment. Police sources revealed that nearly 100 women have cited sexual exploitation, misconduct, and severe mental and physical torture by senior leaders as primary reasons for abandoning the movement.
Recent Successes in Anti-LWE Campaign
Odisha's comprehensive approach to combating Left-Wing Extremism has yielded significant results this year. On September 11, central committee member and Odisha committee secretary (in-charge) Modem Balakrishna was eliminated in Chhattisgarh. Earlier, on January 21, a coordinated operation involving Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and CRPF forces resulted in the elimination of top commander Chalapathi along with 13 cadres.
The most decisive blow to Maoist leadership occurred on May 21, when Basavaraju, general secretary of CPI (Maoist) and chief architect of the organization's Odisha expansion strategy, was killed alongside 27 others in Chhattisgarh. These strategic victories, combined with the enhanced surrender policy, form part of the central government's ambitious goal to achieve a Naxal-free India by March 2026.
Law enforcement officials express confidence that the revised financial incentives, coupled with successful military operations and comprehensive rehabilitation measures, will accelerate the decline of Left-Wing Extremism in Odisha, making the state safer while offering Maoists a viable path to reintegration into mainstream society.
