Bhubaneswar: Odisha Police has declared that Left Wing Extremism (LWE) is no longer a threat in the state, with the surrender window for Maoists closing on March 31.
ADG (anti-naxal operation) Sanjeeb Panda stated that only a handful of Maoists remain active in Kandhamal district, and security forces will now focus on eliminating them.
Panda credited the success to coordinated efforts between security forces, the state government, and public cooperation. He noted that Maoist presence has been eliminated from eight districts, including Malkangiri and Koraput, and is now confined to a small part of Kandhamal.
“Since 2025, we have eliminated Maoist presence from eight districts — Malkangiri, Koraput, Bolangir, Boudh, Nuapada, Nabarangpur, Rayagada and Kalahandi,” he added.
The police chief paid homage to 239 security personnel and 359 civilians killed in Maoist violence, dedicating the success to their sacrifice. Security forces will remain deployed in vulnerable areas for two more years to prevent resurgence. In 2025-26, 27 Maoists were neutralised, nine arrested, and 120 surrendered.
“I pay homage to the police martyrs and civilian victims. This success in the fight against Maoists is dedicated to their supreme sacrifice,” he said.
