Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi informed the State Assembly today that between 2014 and 2024, 123 Maoists were killed and 11 security personnel were martyred in various encounters across the state.
In response to BJP legislator Prasanta Kumar Jagadev’s question, the Chief Minister stated that there were 219 such incidents from January 1, 2014, to November 15, 2024. During these encounters, 123 Maoists were neutralized, and 11 security personnel were martyred.
According to the report, the highest number of Maoists killed in a single year was 36 in 2016, followed by 19 in 2018, 16 in 2020, and three in 2023.
Seven Maoists were killed by security forces each year in 2017, 2021, and 2022. Additionally, six, nine, and eight Maoists were killed in 2014, 2015, and 2019, respectively.
Up to November 15 of the current year, security forces have neutralized five Maoists.
Out of the 11 security personnel martyred during this period, three were killed in both 2015 and 2022, and two in 2020. One security official was reported dead in 2016, 2017, and 2019.
No security personnel deaths were reported in 2014, 2018, 2021, 2023, and 2024 (up to November 15).
The Chief Minister also mentioned that 336 Maoists and militia members have surrendered and reintegrated into society over the past 11 years. The highest number of surrenders occurred in 2014 with 101, followed by 65 in 2015, 31 in 2016, 27 in 2018, and 23 in 2024 (up to November 15).
Following Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s directive to eliminate Maoism by 2026, the state has implemented several measures to eradicate Maoist influence within the specified timeframe.
Anti-Maoist operations in areas affected by Left Wing Extremism (LWE) are being ramped up through coordination with central security forces, the state police, and police from neighbouring LWE-affected states.
The collaboration among the central intelligence bureau, the state’s special intelligence wing, and intelligence branches of neighbouring states impacted by Maoist activities has been fortified. This is to ensure close monitoring of Maoist activities and to intensify anti-Maoist operations, he explained.
The Chief Minister stated that sufficient security personnel have been assigned to address the security deficit in Maoist-impacted regions.
To bolster the State Police for anti-Maoist efforts, the state government has sanctioned the creation of three units of the new Odisha Special Striking Force (OSSF), comprising retired military personnel. He informed the House that the recruitment process had commenced.
Additionally, prompt measures are being taken to occupy various vacant positions within the State Police Department, he concluded.
