Wanted Maoist leader kills commander over surrender plan, body exhumed in Odisha

A serious internal rift within the Maoist ranks in Odisha has surfaced after a wanted rebel leader allegedly killed one of his own senior commanders for planning to surrender before the police. The decomposed body of Anwesh alias Renu was exhumed on Wednesday from the Pakari reserve forest under Daringbadi police station limits in Kandhamal district of Odisha.

According to police, Anwesh was a Divisional Committee Member and military platoon commander of the KKBN division , which operates across Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Boudh and Nayagarh districts. A native of Sukma in Chhattisgarh, he carried a reward of Rs 22 lakh , indicating his senior operational role in coordinating armed activities and managing cadres in the region.

Investigators allege that Anwesh was killed on January 29 by Sukru, a State Zonal Committee Member and one of Odisha’s most wanted Maoist leaders . Sukru has been active in Kandhamal’s forested belt for several years and is believed to have played a key role in sustaining Maoist influence in the KKBN region despite continuous security operations.

Police sources said Anwesh was preparing to surrender along with some other cadres, reportedly to avail benefits under the state government’s surrender and rehabilitation scheme. Sustained security pressure, shrinking safe zones, and the promise of financial and legal support are believed to have influenced his decision. However, the Maoist leadership allegedly opposed the move, viewing it as a threat to organisational control.

Officials suspect the killing was meant to instill fear among cadres considering surrender , particularly as anti Maoist operations intensify ahead of the March 31 deadline linked to rehabilitation benefits. One of Sukru’s close associates was recently killed in an exchange of fire with security forces, further weakening the local network.

Security forces have stepped up combing operations, intelligence gathering and community outreach in Kandhamal, once considered a Maoist stronghold due to its dense forests and difficult terrain. While the overall security situation has improved over the years, the presence of senior leaders like Sukru indicates that challenges remain.

The body has been sent for post mortem, and police have once again appealed to Maoist cadres to surrender and return to the mainstream.