Bhubaneswar: About 100 to 120 Maoists are currently operating in the state, chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi informed the assembly on Monday. He also highlighted the govt’s efforts towards supporting the Centre’s objective of achieving a Naxal-free India by March 2026.
In a written response to Khurda MLA Prasanta Kumar Jagadev, CM Majhi stated: “While there is a target to eliminate Naxals from the country by March 2026, about 100 to 120 Naxals are currently operating in the state.” This is the first time, govt revealed the data about Maoists’ current number in Odisha.
According to sources in Odisha police, about 350 Maoists, about 80% of them from neighbouring Chhattisgarh, were active in the state in 2018. Their number fell sharply in the last one-and-a-half years following intensified anti-Naxal operations in Chhattisgarh. Addressing Daspalla MLA Ramesh Chandra Behera’s query on Monday, the chief minister noted a significant reduction in Naxal activities across Odisha. “The number of Naxal-affected districts has decreased from 15 in 2018-19 to 10 at present. These districts include Koraput, Malkangiri, Rayagada, Nabarangpur, Boudh, Kandhamal, Kalahandi, Nuapada, Balangir and Bargarh,” Majhi’s written reply stated.
Security deployment in these affected districts comprises 72 companies of central forces, 45 special operation group teams, 600 district voluntary force jawans, 65 India reserve battalion platoons, 30 special security battalion platoons, and 350 Odisha special striking force personnel, according to the chief minister’s reply.
The state maintains coordination with neighbouring Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, and Jharkhand to restrict cross-border Maoist movement. Police authorities prioritise gathering and acting upon specific intelligence. “The govt has enhanced police capabilities through specialised counter-insurgency training and provision of modern equipment, including drones, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) interceptors, weapons, and communication equipment. The intelligence gathering mechanism has received significant reinforcement,” Majhi said.
The chief minister replied that anti-Maoist operations are being coordinated at sub-divisional levels with strengthened intelligence networks. The administration ensures effective implementation of the govt’s development schemes in Naxal-affected areas while intensifying combing operations and area domination activities.
In a House reply on March 10, chief minister Majhi informed that 118 Maoists were killed by security forces in the state over the last 10 years. From 2015 to Jan 2025, 118 CPI (Maoist) cadres were killed by security forces in the state. The chief minister said during this period, 315 Maoists involved in Naxal activities were arrested, and 238 Maoists surrendered.