Bhubaneswar, March 23 Around 15 Maoists are active in the areas along the borders of the Kandhamal, Kalahandi, and Rayagada districts in Odisha, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi informed the state assembly on Monday.
According to the Central government's Security Related Expenditure (SRE) scheme, currently, only the Kandhamal district is considered affected by Left-wing Extremism (LWE) in the state, he said, while responding to a question from Congress MLA Taraprasad Bahinipati.
Eight other districts – Boudh, Bolangir, Kalahandi, Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Nuapada, and Rayagada – are considered legacy and thrust (L&T) districts, he said.
"However, in reality, excluding the 15 Maoists in the Kandhamal-Kalahandi-Rayagada border areas, there is no Maoist presence anywhere else in the state," Majhi, who is also in charge of the home department, said.
During the period from 2024 to March 15 of this year, a total of 96 Maoists have surrendered in the state, he said.
To reintegrate them into mainstream society, the government is providing financial assistance, housing, monthly stipends, along with vocational training for a maximum of 36 months, in addition to marriage assistance and health and ration cards under the surrender and rehabilitation policy, he said.
"Our goal is to make Odisha completely free of Maoists by March 31, 2026," he added.
