15 Maoists Surrender Before Sanjeeb Panda, ADG (Anti-Naxal Operations), Odisha at Rayagada
Rs.1.98 crores rewards to fifteen Naxal surenderees in Rayagada excluding other rehabilitation and financial benefits: Rayagada district will be Naxal free after 12 more red rebels decide to mainstream themselves
Dr.Badal Tah,
Associate editor,Odishabarta
Rayagada, February 7: “In a democratic set up, there is no place for violence. As GOI has given a deadline of 31st March 2026 to make the country free of Naxals and promulgated a dynamic policy for relief & rehabilitation of Naxal surrendered, it is hoped that we will meet the deadline.
Already five districts namely Koraput, Nabarangapur, Malkangiri, Gajapati & Boudh have shown the way and Rayagada will soon be free of Naxals after 12 more persons follow the decision of their fifteen comrades, who surrendered today.
This has boosted the morale of the police who took all the pain in dialoguing with the Naxals to surrender and live a peaceful life. Odisha Police assures that all entitled benefits will be provided promptly, enabling the surrendered cadres to rebuild their lives with dignity and security.
The surrendered Naxals’ genuine demands are under consideration”, said Additional Director General of Police, Anti Naxal Operation(ADG-ANO) Sanjeev Panda during surrender ceremony in District Police Office at Rayagada.
The 15 member group were from BGN division (Banshadhara, Ghuman, Nagabali) and were operating in Rayagada, Kandhamal, Gajapati and Kalahandi districts.
Nikhil had joined Maoists organisation in 2004 and he was active in BGN from 2008.After killing of Central Committee Member Ganesh Uike in Kandhamal in December 2025, Nikhil was the next highest ranking Maoist of the State.
The function was attended by Sri Amitendra Nath Sinha, IPS, IG CRPF, Dr Deepak Kumar, IPS IG operation, Sri Akhileshvar Singh, DIG SIW,
Sri Vishal Singh, DIG Koraput, Sri Ashutosh Kulkarni, Collector Rayagada, Ms Swathi , SP Rayagada, Sri Harish BC, SP, Kandhamal, Sri Nagaraj, SP Kalahandi.
The main reasons of surrender, according to a press release are: regular appeals made by Odisha Police Administration urging CPI (Maoist) cadres to return to the mainstream by abandoning the violence and participate in the development and welfare of the State and its people.
There was increased and sustained pressure by Security Forces, disillusionment with the ideology, leadership vacuum, lack of local support, new Surrender-cum-Rehabilitation Policy of the Odisha government, combined effect of these factors has driven many cadres to sever their association with the CPI (Maoist) organization and choose surrendering and mainstreaming. This decision reflects a deliberate and pragmatic acceptance of the Government’s surrender and rehabilitation policy and a clear renunciation of violent extremism in favour of development, peace and a law-abiding life.
There are only two Odias among the fifteen surrenderees & rest thirteen are from Chhattisgarh state.
This reflects that there is a dearth of cadres from Odisha. So there is no local support. There is a leadership crisis.
The rewards to surrendered are also lucrative. There are several criminal cases against these fifteen Naxals, especially Nikhil(64 cases) and Ankita(16 cases). They may face wrath of the judicial system if the government does not take proactive stand.
Abstract of arms and ammunitions includes AK-47 rifle, SLR rifle, INSAS rifle. 303 rifle, Carbine-1A-19mm, Country-made gun, 12 Bore single barrel breach loading, 5.56mm INSAS Ball Ammunitions, 303 Ball Ammunitions, 9 mm Ball Ammunitions, 8 mm country made Ammunitions, 7.62 mm SLR Ball Ammunitions, 7.62 mm X 39 AK-47 Ball Ammunitions, 12 Bore Cartridge, AK-47 Magazine, 7.62 mm SLR Magazine, 5.56 mm INSAS Magazine, Carbine1A1 Magazine, etc.
As per Odisha Government’s New Surrender-cum-Rehabilitation Policy, surrendered cadres would receive following amount based on their ranks: For today’s surrender, the above UG Maoist cadres carry the total reward amount for SCM cadre-55 Lakhs, DVCM cadre-22 Lakhs, ACM cadres –11 Lakhs, PM cadres – 2.5 Lakhs rupees.
The following additional benefits will also be extended as per the State’s rehabilitation and reintegration policy: Provision of a house under Antyodaya GruhaYojana(AG), One-time Marriage Incentive of Rs.25,000/-, enrolment free of cost in short-term skill development programmes, a stipend of Rs. 10,000 per month for a maximum period of 36 months, Health Card under Policy of the State Government or CentralGovernment, free ration/subsidized ration under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY), Antyodaya Anna Yojana or any other similar scheme.
On behalf of the State Police, the DGP, Odisha, appealed to the CPI MAOIST cadres and leaders to come out and join the mainstream society and assured that all underground CPI(Maoist) cadres who choose to surrender will receive full support, protection, and assistance under the Odisha Government’s comprehensive rehabilitation and reintegration programme, enabling them to rebuild their lives in a peaceful, dignified, and meaningful manner.
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