Bhubaneswar, March 29: Odisha Director General of Police Y.B. Khurania on Sunday revealed that 77 Maoists have surrendered before state police between January 2025 and March 2026.

During his visit to Kandhamal district, Khurania informed that an additional 23 Maoists from Odisha laid down arms in neighbouring Chhattisgarh during the same period.

He also stated that 27 Maoists have been killed in encounters with security forces in Odisha since January 2025.

Among the major operations, 17 Maoists were killed on January 25, 2025, during a significant joint operation along the Nuapada–Gariaband border.

Khurania noted that the number of active Maoists in Odisha has now reduced to single digits, with only a small group still operating in the Kandhamal–Rayagada–Kalahandi region.

Appealing to the remaining insurgents, the DGP urged them to surrender, warning that those who fail to do so will face direct action from security forces.

A review meeting assessing Maoist activity in the district was held at the Police Reserve Office in Phulbani. The DGP attributed the success of recent operations to the coordinated efforts of multiple security agencies, including the SOG, DVF, SIW, CRPF, and BSF.