In a landmark achievement for internal security and regional stability, two key districts in Odisha—Koraput and Malkangiri—have officially been declared Naxal-free. This success marks a turning point in the long-standing battle against Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) in the state. The transition reached its peak on Thursday, February 5th, when Koraput was formally cleared following the surrender of a high-ranking Maoist cadre, Mamta Podiami.

Mamta, an Area Committee Member (ACM), surrendered her weapon and past life to the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the South West region, Dr. Kanwar Vishal Singh. She handed over a Self-Loading Rifle (SLR) along with 10 rounds of live ammunition. This act of laying down arms followed a similar declaration in the neighboring Malkangiri district just a day prior.

Reflecting on this milestone, DIG Dr. Kanwar Vishal Singh addressed the media to explain the significance of the moment: “After declaring Malkangiri district Naxal-free yesterday, today we are declaring Koraput district Naxal-free. Today, a Naxal cadre of ACM rank, Mamata, surrendered with an SLR rifle, ten rounds of ammunition, and other materials. There was a reward of Rs 5.5 lakh for her, and Rs 1.65 lakh for her SLR. She will receive these benefits… A few days ago, 22 Naxals surrendered in Malkangiri, where our DGP of Odisha Police was present… Even after declaring Koraput Naxal-free, we will remain fully alert…”

Originally from Chhattisgarh, Podiami had a history of anti-government operations in the border regions between Odisha and Chhattisgarh. Her violent track record led to her being booked by the Katekalyan police in 2023. Under the state's rehabilitation policy, her surrender brings significant financial support to help her restart her life.

The DIG further detailed her compensation, stating, “She will be entitled to financial assistance of ₹5.5 lakh announced on her head, along with an additional ₹1.65 lakh for surrendering the weapon. Besides, she will get all benefits under the state’s surrender and rehabilitation policy.” He used the platform to encourage other active cadres to follow her lead and rejoin mainstream society.

Echoing this sentiment, Odisha’s Director General of Police (DGP), Y.B. Khurania, emphasized that the government is ready to welcome those who choose peace. “I appeal to the CPI cadres and leaders to come and join the mainstream society. The Odisha government assures that all cadres who choose to surrender will receive full support, protection and assistance under the comprehensive rehabilitation and reintegration programme, enabling them to rebuild their lives in a peaceful and dignified manner,” DGP Khurania stated.

With this announcement, Koraput joins Malkangiri, Nuapada, and Nabarangpur as the fourth district under the South-Western police range to be cleared of Maoist influence. This progress is particularly significant as it aligns with the national goal of completely eradicating LWE by the deadline of March 31, 2026.

The momentum was set on Wednesday, February 4th, when Malkangiri was declared Naxal-free. This followed the surrender of Sukhram Markam, a prominent Maoist leader who carried a massive bounty of ₹21 lakh. Shortly before this, Nabarangpur had also been cleared after nine Naxals surrendered in Chhattisgarh. Markam, an influential Area Committee Member of the banned CPI(Maoist), surrendered his SLR rifle and ammunition, marking the end of his involvement in violent incidents across Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh. Malkangiri SP Binod Patil confirmed that Markam would receive the full spectrum of benefits under the state's rehabilitation policy.

Decisive Combat: Major Security Breakthroughs in the Region

The path to a Naxal-free Odisha was paved by high-stakes operations throughout 2025. In May of that year, security forces secured a major win with the arrest of the much-feared Maoist leader Kunjam Hidma. Acting on intelligence that Hidma had crossed over from Chhattisgarh, Odisha police launched a special operation in the thick Petguda forests of Koraput.

Hidma, a native of Janaguda in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur, had been a wanted man in Koraput for years. Upon his capture, police seized a formidable cache of weapons and supplies, including an AK-47 rifle, 35 rounds of ammunition, walkie-talkies, gunpowder, Maoist literature, and 117 detonators.

The pressure on extremist groups intensified in December 2025. In a massive blow to the Maoist hierarchy, 22 cadres—with a combined bounty of ₹2.18 crore—surrendered in Malkangiri. This group was notable for its leadership composition, including 10 women, one Divisional Committee Member (DCM), and six Area Committee Members. Most belonged to the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC), proving that the movement's core leadership was beginning to fracture under the sustained pressure from the state.

Building a Way Out: Infrastructure as a Weapon Against Insurgency

While boots on the ground were essential, the real "silent killer" of the Naxal movement was the development of infrastructure. For decades, the difficult geography of Malkangiri—which shares borders with Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh—acted as a natural fortress for insurgents.

In the early 1960s, the construction of the Balimela reservoir project created a 65-km water channel that effectively cut off a region known as "Swabhiman Anchal." This isolation allowed Maoists to thrive. The area was the site of several tragedies, including a 2008 ambush that killed 39 security personnel and the 2011 abduction of District Collector R. Vineel Krishna. The Naxals used the rugged, inaccessible terrain to launch landmine blasts and maintain a stronghold over the local population.

The turning point was the construction of the 910-metre Gurupriya Bridge in 2018. The bridge was more than just a structure; it was a lifeline that connected 170 previously isolated villages. The project had been stalled since the 1980s because Maoists knew its completion would mean their end. While originally estimated at ₹8 crore, the cost rose to ₹172 crore over four decades of delays and sabotage. It was only when the central government deployed BSF personnel in 2015 to protect the site that the bridge was finally completed.

Following the bridge, the government built all-weather roads serving over 30,000 people. This connectivity allowed the BSF to establish Company Operating Bases (COBs)—heavily armed outposts—deep within the former "cut-off" areas. The combination of roads and outposts shattered the Maoists' ability to hide and move freely.

Global Strategy: Operation Kagar and the Roadmap to Peace

The success in Odisha is a subset of the broader national "Operation Kagar," launched in January 2024. This initiative targets Naxalism across six states: Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Telangana. The strategy is two-pronged:

1. Military Might: Deploying 100,000 paramilitary troops, including the elite CoBRA units and the CRPF, using modern technology to uproot terror.
2. Social Welfare: Ensuring that electricity, water, transport, and government welfare schemes reach the most remote villages to eliminate the root causes of discontent.

The results are striking. Between 2015 and 2025, the number of Naxal-affected districts in India plummeted from 106 to just 18. Today, only six districts remain in the "worst affected" category, primarily in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Maharashtra.

To ensure these gains are permanent, the Centre recently released a 10-point plan focused on the "post-LWE phase." This plan aims to stabilize districts that have known only violence for generations, ensuring they remain peaceful and integrated into the nation’s growth story.