Bhubaneswar: Top Maoist leader Niranjan Rout alias Nikhil, who surrendered before police in Rayagada, has appealed to his fellow rebels to shun violence and join the mainstream.
In an audio message, Nikhil stated that the changing financial, social, and political scenario makes it difficult to continue armed revolution, resulting in losses and lack of coordination with the common people.
In the audio, he was heard saying, “In the changing financial, social, and political scenario, it is difficult to continue armed revolution. On this path, we have incurred heavy losses by remaining away from the common people, which has resulted in a lack of coordination and mass movement. So, I appeal to all remaining comrades to shun armed rebellion and join the mainstream and launch a mass movement in a democratic manner as per constitutional norms.”
Nikhil and his wife Indu, who were carrying a Rs 55 lakh bounty, surrendered before Additional Director General of Police (Anti-Naxal Operations) Sanjeeb Panda at a special function held at the District Police Office (DPO) in Rayagada.
Nikhil joined the Maoist organization in 2004 and became active in the BGN division from 2008, rising to become one of the top Maoist leaders in the state after the killing of central committee member Ganesh Uike in Kandhamal in December 2025.
