Odisha Police Declares Bolangir and Bargarh 'Naxal-Free' After 15 Maoists Surrender
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Bhubaneswar, Odisha Police declared Bolangir and Bargarh districts as 'Naxal-free' after 15 Maoists operating in the two areas surrendered before security personnel in neighboring Chhattisgarh, officials said.
With this, the number of Naxal-free districts in Odisha has risen to seven, including Nuapada, Nabarangpur, Koraput, Malkangiri, Boudh, Bolangir, and Bargarh.
Maoist presence, however, continues in three other districts.
The 15 Maoists surrendered at a function held in Chhattisgarh's Mahasamund district, which borders Bargarh.
Odisha DGP YB Khurania said sustained joint operations, precise intelligence inputs, and coordinated efforts of central and state security forces led to the complete elimination of Naxal activities from these two districts.
Khurania congratulated all officers and personnel involved in the operations and expressed gratitude to the people for their trust and continued support.
Around 25 Maoists are believed to remain active in the state, mostly in splinter groups in Kandhamal district.
