Bhubaneswar: Leader of Opposition in the Odisha Assembly and BJD president Naveen Patnaik on Friday commended the state’s security forces for eliminating six Maoists in Kandhamal district, asserting that Odisha has made significant progress in tackling Left-Wing Extremism.
Reacting to the operation, Patnaik said sustained and focused efforts by the state had substantially weakened Maoist activities. Taking to X, the former Chief Minister said left-wing extremism had long remained one of the country’s most serious internal security challenges, but Odisha’s consistent approach had delivered tangible results.
“Glad to know that six CPI (Maoist) cadres have been neutralised by security forces. Odisha’s sustained efforts to curb left-wing extremism have resulted in substantial success,” he wrote.
Patnaik, who held the home portfolio for over 24 years during his tenure as Chief Minister, attributed the decline in Maoist influence to accelerated socio-economic development, improved road connectivity in remote areas, and pro-poor welfare policies implemented by the state government.
Reiterating his stand against violence, the BJD president appealed to Maoist cadres to abandon armed struggle and return to the mainstream. “Violence has no place in a civilised society. We have always appealed to left-wing extremists to shun violence and embrace the path of development and progress,” he said.
Among those killed was top Maoist leader Ganesh Uike, the Odisha chief of the banned CPI (Maoist) outfit, who carried a reward of ₹1.1 crore on his head. The six Maoists were killed during encounters with security forces in Kandhamal district.
