Malkangiri (Odisha), February 26 Villagers in several remote areas of Malkangiri district in Odisha, which was previously considered a stronghold of Maoists, have removed 20 "Naxal memorials," memorial structures set up by members of the banned CPI (Maoist), according to police on Thursday.
Malkangiri SP Vinodh Patil said the structures were removed in Swabhiman Aanchal and the interior areas of Kalimela, Mathili, and Khairput in the district.
"We hope that the remaining structures will be removed in the coming days," he added.
Patil said that, in the context of Malkangiri being declared Naxal-free, this is a positive indicator of changing ground realities and highlights the people's preference for growth, peace, and development over conflict and isolation.
The villagers, he said, collectively decided that the memorials no longer represented their aspirations, adding that years of extremist influence had brought fear, disrupted basic services, and stalled development.
The villagers have claimed that, over the past few years, consistent efforts by the district police in coordination with the civil administration – including area domination, community policing, civic action programmes, and welfare activities – have strengthened their trust, and the community now wishes to move forward in an atmosphere of peace and stability.
