Odisha’s revised surrender policy yields results, 22 Maoists give up arms

“The state government has recently announced a revised Maoist surrender and rehabilitation policy, which is best in the country. Surrender of the 22 cadres is a result of our policy. We urge the Maoist cadres to shun arms and to join the mainstream. The government will extend them all help for their rehabilitation,” Khurania told reporters.

With the surrender of the 22 cadres, the largest mass surrender of the year, officials said it is expected that 60 to 70 extremists are still hiding in various forests of the state.

While left-wing extremism activities have been restricted to limited pockets (Kandhamal-Boudh-Kalahandi-Nuapada axis), the influx of Maoists from Chhattisgarh into Odisha through the Gariaband-Nuapada forests has been a cause of concern for the Odisha Police.

“As Chhattisgarh has launched a massive anti-Maoist operation, the DGP said that all measures are being undertaken to prevent influx of Maoist cadres into Odisha from the neighbouring states,” said the DGP. As many as six of Odisha’s total nine districts identified as LWE-hit districts share a border with Chhattisgarh.

The surrendered cadres will receive financial grants as per the revised policy, which offers a substantial hike in incentives compared to the previous policy revised in 2014.

Besides financial incentives, the state government also provides additional benefits such as houses under the rural housing scheme, one-time marriage assistance, enrolment in skill development programmes with provision of a monthly stipend, and healthcare benefits.