Bhubaneswar, Dec 23: In a significant breakthrough for anti-Maoist operations, as many as 22 underground CPI (Maoist) cadres surrendered before the Odisha Police on Tuesday, marking the first major surrender in the state this year. The surrender took place in the presence of Director General of Police Yogesh Bahadur Khurania, highlighting the growing impact of sustained security operations and rehabilitation efforts.

Among those who laid down arms were one senior Divisional Committee Member (DVCM) and six Area Committee Members (ACMs), indicating a serious dent in the outfit’s leadership structure. By renouncing violence and opting to rejoin the mainstream, the cadres delivered a major setback to the banned organisation’s morale and operational strength.

During the surrender, the cadres handed over a large cache of arms and explosives, including nine firearms such as an AK-47, two INSAS rifles, an SLR, three .303 rifles and two single-shot rifles. Security forces also recovered 150 rounds of ammunition, nine magazines, around 20 kg of explosives, 13 improvised explosive devices (IEDs), gelatin sticks, codex wire and Maoist literature.

Under the Odisha government’s rehabilitation policy, the surrendered cadres are eligible for financial assistance based on rank, along with additional incentives for surrendered weapons. The total reward for the group amounts to Rs 1.84 crore, while each cadre has been given interim relief of Rs 25,000.

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