Top Maoist leader killed in Odisha encounter
Top Maoist leader Ganesh Uike, who carried a reward of INR 1.1 crore on his head, was among six red rebels killed in gun battles with security forces in Odisha’s Kandhamal district, police said on Thursday. Union Home Minister Amit Shah called it a “breakthrough,” while Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi described it as a “remarkable success” to build a Naxal-free India.
CPI(Maoist) central committee member Uike, 69, was the chief of the banned outfit in Odisha, a senior officer heading anti-Naxal operations in the state said.
Two Maoists from Chhattisgarh were killed in an exchange of fire with security forces in Gumma forest in the Belghar police station area on Wednesday night. Fresh gun battles took place in a forest in the Chakapad police station area on Thursday morning, in which four other Maoists, including Uike, were killed, he said.
“Four Maoists were killed in the gunfight. One of them was identified as 69-year-old Ganesh Uike, who is also known by his aliases Pakka Hanumantu, Rajesh Tiwari, Chamru and Rupa. He was a native of Pullemala village under Chendur mandal in Telangana’s Nalgonda district,” he said. The identity of the other three Naxals, including two women, was yet to be ascertained, the officer said.
Addressing a press conference, DGP Y B Khurania said, “Two Maoists were gunned down on Wednesday, and four were neutralised this morning. The killing of a central committee member is a big success for Odisha Police. It has broken the backbone of the Maoists in the State.”
“Operations are underway at different places along the Kandhamal-Ganjam inter-district boundary, and we hope to get more success. This is one of the biggest operations against Maoists in Odisha in recent times. We thank the security personnel involved in the operation. We are determined to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s target of eliminating Naxalism by March 2026,” he added.
Based on intelligence inputs, a joint operation involving 23 teams - 20 of the Special Operations Group of Odisha Police, two of the CRPF and one of the BSF — was launched in the Chakapad police station area in Kandhamal district and bordering Rambha forest range in Ganjam district, another officer said.
“Multiple gunfights were reported on Thursday in different areas. Later, four bodies of Maoists — two men and two women each — were recovered. Two INSAS rifles and a .303 rifle were also seized,” he added.
The Naxals killed on Wednesday night were identified as CPI(Maoist)’s area committee member Bari alias Rakesh, and Dalam member Amrit, both from Chhattisgarh, a senior police officer said, adding they carried a cumulative bounty of Rs 23.65 lakh on their heads.
The gunfights took place after 22 Maoists surrendered before Khurania in neighbouring Malkangiri district on Tuesday. The DGP on Thursday again issued an appeal to the Maoists to return to the mainstream.
“Odisha’s surrender and rehabilitation policy is the best in the country under which surrendered Maoists get many benefits, including cash and social security like houses, ration cards, cash to do business and above all, skill training,” he added.
Home Minister Shah said Maoist Central Committee member Ganesh Uike and five other Naxalites have been neutralised so far in a major operation in the forests of Kandhmal, Odisha.
In a social media message, Shah termed it a “significant milestone towards Naxal-free Bharat”.
“In a major operation in Kandhmal, Odisha, 6 Naxalites, including Central Committee Member Ganesh Uike, have been neutralised so far. With this breakthrough, Odisha stands at the threshold of becoming completely free from Naxalism. We are resolved to eliminate Naxalism before the 31st of March 2026,” he said.
