Bhubaneswar, March 23: With just a week left for the Centre’s March 31 deadline to eradicate Naxalism from the country, Odisha Government on Monday revealed that only about 13 Maoists now remain active in splinter groups in the State.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, responding to a written query in the Assembly, said the cadres are operating in pockets of Kandhmal, Kalahandi and Rayagada districts.
The Chief Minister reaffirmed the State’s commitment to meet the national target of eliminating Left-wing extremism (LWE) by March 31, 2026.
He said that as many as many as 96 Maoists/militia members have surrendered in last two years as on March 15, 2026.
“Kandhamal is the only Maoist affected district, while eight districts — Malkangiri, Koraput, Nuapada, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Rayagada, Boudh and Balangir - are classified as ‘legacy and thrust’ zones,” said Majhi.
Majhi asserted that the State Government is committed to eradicate Maoist menace in the State by March 31.
Left Wing Extremism (LWE), often referred to as Naxalism, is one of India's most serious internal security challenges. Originating from the Naxalbari movement of 1967 in West Bengal, it spread primarily across the "Red Corridor," affecting states like Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Maharashtra, Kerala, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, and parts of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
The Central Government has adopted a unified, multi-dimensional and decisive strategy against Naxalism. Operating on the clear principles of dialogue → security → coordination, the Government has set the firm target of making every Naxal-affected area completely Naxal-free by March 2026.
