Odisha govt hikes Risk Allowance of SOG jawans to Rs 25000

Hailing the jawans of the Special Operation Group (SOG) of Odisha Police for the successful joint operation against Left-Wing Extremists along the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border that killed at least 14 Maoists, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday announced a significant hike in the Risk Allowance for the jawans engaged in anti-Naxalite operations.

The allowance, previously set at Rs 8,000, will now be Rs 25,000, informed CMO Odisha’s office, reflecting the state's strategic initiative to bolster security infrastructure and support frontline workers. The special announcement was made by the Chief Minister’s office on X (formerly known as Twitter).

CMO Odisha Tweet

“The SOG (Special Operation Group) personnel of Odisha Police played a significant role in this operation, and Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has extended his congratulations to all the personnel involved,” the CMO’s post on 'X' handle read.

ଆଜି ନୂଆପଡ଼ା ଜିଲ୍ଲା ସୀମାନ୍ତ ଛତିଶଗଡ଼ କୁଲହରିଘାଟ ଅଞ୍ଚଳରେ ସୁରକ୍ଷା ବାହିନୀଙ୍କ ମିଳିତ ଅଭିଯାନ ଦ୍ୱାରା ୧୪ ମାଓବାଦୀ ନିହତ ହୋଇଛନ୍ତି।

ଏହି ଅଭିଯାନରେ ଓଡିଶା ପୋଲିସର SOG ଯବାନଙ୍କ ଗୁରୁତ୍ୱପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ଭୂମିକା ରହିଥିଲା, ଏଥିପାଇଁ ସମସ୍ତ ଯବାନଙ୍କୁ ମୁଖ୍ୟମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ଶ୍ରୀ ମୋହନ ଚରଣ ମାଝୀ ଶୁଭେଚ୍ଛା ଜଣାଇଛନ୍ତି।

ଏହି ଅବସରରେ…

— CMO Odisha (@CMO_Odisha) January 21, 2025

The CMO also emphasised the state's dedication to intensifying efforts in combating Naxalite activities, ensuring the safety and stability of affected regions. As per the CMO, the Chief Minister has stated that anti-Maoist operations in Odisha will further be intensified in the coming days.

14 Naxals Gunned Down

As many as 14 Maoists, including five women ultras, were neutralized during joint operations by the Central Reserve Police Force, Chhattisgarh Police and the SOG of Odisha Police at Kularighat in Chhattisgarh, just 5 kilometres far from Nuapada district in Odisha.

The joint operation was launched during the night of January 19. It is pertinent here to mention that this operation is among the largest anti-Maoist campaigns in recent times and is being hailed as a turning point in the fight against Maoism.

It is seen as a major blow to the Maoist groups that have been active in the region for years.

Home Minister Amit Shah’s Response

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also lauded the operation, calling it a "mighty blow to Naxalism." In a post on X, he stated, “Our security forces have achieved a major success towards building a Naxal-free Bharat. The CRPF, SOG Odisha, and Chhattisgarh Police, in a joint operation, have neutralised 14 Naxalites along the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border.”

He also added, “With our resolve for a Naxal-free India and the joint efforts of our security forces, Naxalism is breathing its last today.”

Notably, Jayram Reddy, a senior Maoist leader also known as Chalapati, was killed in the exchange of fire that took place in a forest along the Chhattisgarh-Odisha border. Reddy was carrying a bounty of Rs 1 crore on his head.