Odisha Declares Bolangir and Bargarh Naxal-Free After 15 Maoists Surrender

Overview

• Fifteen Maoists operating across the Bargarh–Bolangir–Mahasamund axis surrendered at a function in Chhattisgarh’s Mahasamund, attended by three senior Odisha police officers.
• The declaration raises the tally of Naxal-free districts in Odisha to seven, joining Nuapada, Nabarangpur, Koraput, Malkangiri and Boudh.
• Odisha Police cite sustained joint operations, precise intelligence inputs, coordinated central–state action and local cooperation for the gains.
• A major operation is active in Kandhamal’s Daringbadi and Raikia forest areas as police search for the state’s most wanted Maoist leader, Sukru.
• Officials say only Kandhamal currently qualifies under the Security Related Expenditure scheme, with remaining affected areas categorized as Other LWE Affected Districts.