Major blow to Maoists: 22 rebels with Rs 2 crore bounty surrender in Malkangiri

In a major development in the state’s anti-Maoist operations, as many as 22 Maoists surrendered before the Odisha police in Malkangiri district on Tuesday, laying down arms and formally severing ties with the outlawed movement.

The surrender took place during a special programme organised at the Malkangiri district police office in the presence of Director General of Police (DGP) Y.B. Khurania.

According to details shared by the DGP, the surrendered cadres together carried cash rewards amounting to Rs 2 crore 18 lakh 25 thousand, declared earlier by the government.

The group included one Divisional Committee Member (DCM), six Area Committee Members (ACMs), and 15 party members, indicating the surrender of cadres across different hierarchical levels of the Maoist structure.

Arms And Explosives Recovered During Surrender

Sources reported that the Maoists surrendered along with a significant cache of weapons, ammunition, and explosives. The recovered material included three AK-47 rifles, one INSAS rifle, five 303 rifles, a large quantity of live ammunition, gelatin sticks, detonators, and 13 tiffin bombs.

The DGP described the recovery as operationally significant, given the past use of such weapons in ambushes and attacks in the region.

Extensive Rehabilitation Measures

Addressing the surrendered cadres, DGP YB Khurania said the government would extend structured rehabilitation support.

“On behalf of the government, I welcome all of these men and women here as proud members of society,” he said. He added that financial assistance totalling Rs 1 crore 20 lakh would be provided, while those surrendering with weapons would receive Rs 4 lakh each along with other admissible allowances.

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The DGP confirmed that the surrendered Maoists would also be eligible for housing under the Antodaya scheme, in addition to financial aid and livelihood support. He said further verification and documentation would be completed before the disbursement of benefits as per established guidelines.