BHUBANESWAR/PHULBANI: In a significant development in the ongoing anti-Naxal operations in Odisha, 10 hardcore cadres of the banned CPI (Maoist) including the state committee member of Kandhamal-Kalahandi-Boudh-Nayagarh (KKBN) division Sanu Pottam surrendered before Odisha Police in Kandhamal district on Wednesday.
The Maoists including seven women cadres formally surrendered before ADG anti-Naxal operations Sanjeeb Panda and other top officials of Odisha Police and the CRPF during a special function held at the Reserve Police Lines in Phulbani.
The most senior among the surrendered rebels, Pottam alias Nitu (48) carried a reward of `55 lakh. Hailing from Kursil village of Todka gram panchayat in Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh, Pottam joined as a member of the banned outfit in Western Bastar, Bijapur in 1997. He served in Mainpur-Nuapada division of the outlawed organisation for nearly 23 years and then moved to Sunabeda area of Nuapada for two years till 2022.
Later, Pottam joined the KKBN division and remained active in the area from April 2022 to 2026. He has 11 different cases against him in Odisha and neighbouring Chhattisgarh.
Another senior cadre Santaei Salam alias Anupa (45), a divisional committee member, had a `22 lakh reward on her head. Laxmi Madvi alias Sangita (38) and Sunil Telam (28), both area committee members carrying a reward of `11 lakh each, also surrendered along with Manjula Punem alias Silpa (23), Rambati Oyam alias Jamuna (30), Ganesh Kunjam (28), Susila Dudi (18), Sarita Kuhudam (25) and Chodi Yogi alias Rajni (22).
The Maoists, during their surrender, handed over 10 firearms including two INSAS, as many SLRs and three .303 rifles, two single-shot guns and one 12-bore gun, along with a huge cache of ammunition.
Police said the surrendered cadres were active across Odisha and Chhattisgarh, and allegedly involved in several extremist incidents registered in Kandhamal and nearby districts.
ADG Panda said surrender of these 10 Maoists reflects the weakening influence of left-wing extremist ideology in the region. All the surrendered cadres would be extended the benefits of the state government’s surrender and rehabilitation policy, including financial assistance and vocational training to help them reintegrate into society with dignity.
Police said after this surrender, the number of armed cadres operating in Odisha has come down to 25 and their activity is limited to the border areas of Kandhamal, Kalahandi and Rayagada districts. Combing operation will be intensified in these areas with the help of SOG, DVF, CRPF and BSF, they said.