Odisha’s Malkangiri declared Naxal-free after top Maoist leader surrenders

Malkangiri in Odisha, long notorious as a stronghold of Maoist insurgency, has been officially declared Naxal-free after a senior CPI (Maoist) leader surrendered to police on Wednesday, marking a major milestone in the state’s efforts to end left-wing extremism.

Sukhram Markam , also known as Suresh and Yogesh , was an Area Committee Member of the banned CPI (Maoist) and carried a bounty of Rs 21 lakh on his head. The 32-year-old, a native of Sukma district in neighbouring Chhattisgarh, renounced violence and joined the mainstream by surrendering before Malkangiri police in the presence of senior officials.

During the surrender, Markam handed over an SLR rifle, 12 rounds of ammunition, two improvised explosive devices, Kardex wire, and other materials used by Maoist units, highlighting his operational role in the insurgency.

Police said Markam had been active across Odisha and neighbouring states, involved in violent incidents including attacks on security forces, abductions, and armed dacoity. His decision to sever all ties with the extremist group and embrace the democratic process is being seen as a major setback for the outlawed organisation in the region.

Malkangiri’s declaration follows a series of surrenders showing the declining influence of Maoist cadres in Odisha. In December 2025, 22 Maoists, including senior committee members, had surrendered their weapons before Odisha’s Director General of Police , as part of a broader campaign that encouraged rebels from neighbouring states to renounce armed struggle.

Authorities attribute the growing number of surrenders to sustained counter-insurgency operations, community engagement, and an enhanced state surrender-and-rehabilitation policy offering cash assistance, housing support, and vocational training to help former rebels reintegrate into society.

With Markam’s surrender and recent defections, Odisha’s anti-Maoist campaign has taken a decisive turn. While small pockets of extremists may persist in remote forests, authorities say the decline of the movement in Malkangiri and other districts reflects a hard-won step toward sustained peace and development. “Naxal-free” is not merely symbolic; it indicates that an area has no active Maoist operations, key leaders have surrendered, violence has declined, and security forces maintain effective control.