Odisha’s Nabarangpur district declared Naxal-free

Odisha’s Nabarangpur district has been declared “Naxal-free” after nine Maoists, including seven women, surrendered in neighbouring Chhattisgarh, police said on Saturday.

The surrendered ultras were carrying a cumulative bounty of Rs 47 lakh, officials said, adding that their surrender marked a significant milestone in the district’s efforts to eliminate left-wing extremism.

An official said the group had been operating in parts of Nabarangpur and Chhattisgarh’s Dhamtari district before laying down arms.

With the latest development, Nabarangpur has become one of the few districts in the state to be officially declared free of Naxalite presence.

Police said sustained counter-insurgency operations, development initiatives and rehabilitation policies for surrendered cadres played a key role in achieving the target.

The authorities said they would continue to monitor the area to ensure that Maoist activity does not resurface.