Death of top Maoist commander Ganesh may force others to surrender: Police

Berhampur: Odisha police on Friday said the killing of top Maoist commander Ganesh Uike and five of his associates in recent encounters with security forces in Kandhamal district is likely to prompt other active members in the state to surrender.“Ganesh was leading the Maoist organisation in the state and his death is a major blow to the outfit. After this, others may surrender,” said Sanjeeb Panda, ADG (anti-Naxal operations). Panda reviewed anti-Maoist operations in Phulbani with senior officers after six Maoists were killed in encounters at different locations over two days.Ganesh, a central committee member of CPI (Maoist), and three cadres — including two women — were killed in an exchange of fire in a forest under Chakapada police limits in Kandhamal district, near the Rambha forest range of Ganjam district, on Thursday. Two more rebels were killed in an encounter in Gumma reserve forest under Belghar police station limits on Wednesday.Bari, an area committee member, Amrit of the Bansadhara-Ghumusar-Nagabali division, Rajani, Umesh and Sima were among the Maoists killed. While Uike carried a reward of Rs 1.1 crore, Bari and Amrit carried bounties of Rs 15.5 lakh and Rs 1.65 lakh, respectively. The other cadres carried a reward of Rs 1.65 lakh each, police said.Security personnel recovered several firearms and other materials from the encounter sites. The seized items included an Insas rifle, a .303 rifle, a .22 rifle, a country-made gun, AK-47 magazines, live ammunition, a hand grenade, eight detonators, other materials and medicines. Two landmines were also detected and defused at the spot, Panda said.Security forces involved in the encounters returned with the seized items and bodies of the Maoists. The autopsies were conducted at the district headquarters hospital in Phulbani under tight security.Panda said anti-Maoist operations had been intensified in Kandhamal, with more forces deployed, as several rebels were suspected to be hiding in the forests.He reiterated that “no form of violence under any pretext will be tolerated”, and said police remained committed to dealing with organisations and individuals involved in violent activities “with an iron hand”. He expressed confidence that Odisha police would be able to eliminate Maoists from the state by March 2026.Appealing to Maoists to surrender and return to the mainstream, Panda said they could “lead a life of dignity and self-respect”. He noted that the state govt has recently approved a new surrender and rehabilitation policy, offering financial assistance of up to Rs 1.2 crore, depending on rank, along with other benefits.