Berhampur: State director general of police (DGP) Y B Khurania on Sunday made his last appeal to the Maoists to surrender, as the March 31 deadline set by the central govt to end the Left Wing Extremism (LWE) in the country, neared.“We appealed to the small groups left in the forest areas of Kandhamal-Rayagada-Kalahandi to surrender before the police like their seniors. Otherwise they will face action by the security forces engaged in the anti-Maoist operations,” said the DGP at Phulbani in Kandhamal district.He added their efforts were going on to bust the Maoist group in the area. “Due to the combined efforts of all concerned like BSF, CRPF, SOG, DVF and others, the state has achieved a significant success in combating the Maoists. It may take one, two or some more days. But we have confidence to achieve the goal soon,” he said after conducting a review on the anti-Maoist operation with senior police officers.During 2025-26, he said, a total of 77 Maoists, including top leaders had surrendered before the state police. “In addition, 23 ultras who were active in Odisha, had surrendered before the Chhattisgarh police during the period. A total of 27 Red rebels had been killed by the security forces in the last one year. This included the killing of 17 Maoists in Nuapada-Gariabandh border in a joint operation by the Odisha and Chhattisgarh police on Dec 25, 2025,” said the DGP.On March 25 this year, Kosa Sodi, alias Sukru, the state committee member of the CPI (Maoist), along with his four associates, had laid down their arms. Sukru, carrying a bounty of Rs 55 lakh, was the last top rebel who laid down his arms.Khurania urged the remaining small groups to come out and avail the benefits under the state’s surrender and rehabilitation policy.In a meeting, he also encouraged the jawans who had displayed courage in anti-Maoist operations against senior leaders like Ganesh and his associates. He also distributed the monetary rewards to the jawans who successfully fought the rebels.Sanjeeb Panda, ADGP (anti-naxal operation); DIG Akhilesh Singh; Niti Sekhar, DIG (southern range), Berhampur; and Kandhamal SP Harish B C attended the meeting.
