file photo BHUBANESWAR/MALKANGIRI: A richer package rolled out by Odisha drew 22 Maoist insurgents from neighbouring Chhattisgarh to lay down arms Tuesday, marking the first mass surrender in state this year and coming just three months before Centre’s deadline to end left-wing extremism nationwide. Police credited a revised policy that lifts rewards to nearly 20% above Chhattisgarh’s rates, making Odisha the most lucrative destination for Maoist surrenders.Those who surrendered Tuesday carried a combined bounty of more than Rs 2 crore. Among those who surrendered were 10 women. They handed over nine firearms – an AK-47, two INSAS rifles, one self-loading rifle, three .303 rifles and two single-shot weapons – along with 150 rounds of ammunition and 20kg of explosives.”The Maoists formally renounced violence, severed ties with extremist activities, and pledged faith in democracy. It is a major setback to CPI (Maoist), weakening leadership, morale and operational strength,” Khurania said.Between 2006 and Dec 2025, at least 610 Maoists – largely state, divisional and area committee members – surrendered in Odisha.About the AuthorDebabrata MohapatraDebabrata Mohapatra is an Assistant Editor at The Times of India, Bhubaneswar. He had been writing for TOI from Puri since 2006 before joining the Bhubaneswar bureau in August 2010. He covers crime, law & order and Congress.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosDelhi HC Grants Bail To Kuldeep Sengar; Victim’s Sister Says ‘Put Us In Jail To Keep Us Safe’India Summons Bangladesh High Commissioner Over Violence Against Hindus, Protests Continue”No Cases Filed”: Prachy Accuses Yunus Administration Of Protecting Convicted TerroristsExperts Warn India As Yunus Loses Control In Bangladesh After Hadi Killing Sparks Unrest NationwidePAN-Aadhaar Deadline Nears: How To Link Before December 31 Or Risk Inoperative PAN From Next Year“Neither Janmat Nor Janpath”: Bjp Alleges Growing Rebellion Against Rahul Gandhi Within CongressPak PM Sharif’s Party Leader Threatens India, Warns Missiles Will Respond If Bangladesh Is TargetedIndia’s BrahMos Missile Goes Global As India Closes $450m Defence Pacts With Vietnam And Indonesia’Make Her PM & See…’: Congress MP Endorses Priyanka Gandhi; BJP Takes ‘No Faith In Rahul’ DigHanuman Chalisa Verse Echoes In Delhi As Hindu Lynching In Bangladesh Triggers High Voltage Protests123PhotostoriesFrom Rajat Bedi to Akshaye Khanna: Best Bollywood comebacks of 202510 local Indian Christmas delicacies that are a must try5 latest bridal nath designs to elevate your traditional Indian wedding lookCosmic Fungi explained: The strange radiation-eating organisms found at Chernobyl8 classic Chicken Soups to keep you warm this winterMerry Christmas 2025: 10 famous classic Christmas dishes from around the worldAryan Khan with ‘The Ba***ds of Bollywood’; Tisca Chopra with ‘Saali Mohabbat’: Meet the debut directors of 2025From taking her first steps post delivery to updating fans on Kaju’s health and Laughter Chefs shoot, Bharti Singh shares an emotional hospital vlog7 common healthy-looking foods that are secretly causing inflammationInfrastructure Push Ahead as PMC Eyes Rs 200 Cr from Merged Zone123Hot PicksUAE WeatherPAN-Aadhaar linkingGold price predictionGold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays DecemberBank Holidays DecemberTop TrendingDwyane Wade WifeKai Cenat Mental HealthGeorge Kittle InjuryGiannis AntetokounmpoJack EichelCraig BerubePaul Heyman and Marla Heyman Net WorthDK MetcalfJade Cargill and Brandon Net WorthMax Holloway Net Worth
BHUBANESWAR/MALKANGIRI: A richer package rolled out by Odisha drew 22 Maoist insurgents from neighbouring Chhattisgarh to lay down arms Tuesday, marking the first mass surrender in state this year and coming just three months before Centre’s deadline to end left-wing extremism nationwide. Police credited a revised policy that lifts rewards to nearly 20% above Chhattisgarh’s rates, making Odisha the most lucrative destination for Maoist surrenders.Those who surrendered Tuesday carried a combined bounty of more than Rs 2 crore. Among those who surrendered were 10 women. They handed over nine firearms – an AK-47, two INSAS rifles, one self-loading rifle, three .303 rifles and two single-shot weapons – along with 150 rounds of ammunition and 20kg of explosives.“The Maoists formally renounced violence, severed ties with extremist activities, and pledged faith in democracy. It is a major setback to CPI (Maoist), weakening leadership, morale and operational strength,” Khurania said.Between 2006 and Dec 2025, at least 610 Maoists – largely state, divisional and area committee members – surrendered in Odisha.
