Desk (1 March 2026): In a major breakthrough in anti-Naxal operations, the Odisha Police have declared Bargarh and Balangir districts as completely Naxal-free. Director General of Police Yogesh Bahadur Khurania made the historic announcement, describing it as a significant milestone in the state’s fight against Left-Wing Extremism.
The declaration follows the surrender of 15 Maoists in Chhattisgarh’s Mahasamund district on Sunday. These cadres were reportedly active in the Bargarh–Balangir–Mahasamund division. With their surrender and the sustained crackdown on extremist activities, both Bargarh and Balangir have now been officially declared free of Naxal influence.
The DGP credited the achievement to prolonged joint operations by security forces, actionable intelligence inputs, coordinated efforts between central and state forces, and strong support from local communities. He praised the courage, restraint, and dedication of police personnel involved in the operations and expressed gratitude to the public for their trust and cooperation.
Earlier, Koraput district had also been declared Maoist-free after the surrender of a woman Maoist of ACM rank, Mamata Podiamy, before Koraput Police. According to South Western Range DIG Kanwar Vishal Singh, she surrendered along with her weapon. Security forces recovered a tiffin bomb, live ammunition, and other materials from her possession. Mamata, a native of Chhattisgarh, stated that she chose to surrender and join the mainstream democratic process.
Officials noted that the Maoist footprint across the country has been steadily shrinking. The number of Maoist-affected districts nationwide has reportedly come down to eight, including six in Chhattisgarh and one in Jharkhand. In Odisha, only Kandhamal district remains affected by Maoist activity.
The DGP said operations would continue with greater intensity in the remaining affected areas, reaffirming the state’s commitment to eliminating the Naxal problem entirely in the near future.
