Tue Dec 23 18:45:09 UTC 2025: ## News Article Summary:
Headline: 20 Maoist Cadres Surrender in Odisha, Lay Down Arms
Bhubaneswar, December 24, 2025 – In a significant victory for Odisha’s efforts to combat Maoist insurgency, 20 armed cadres of the CPI (Maoist), including a Divisional Committee Member and six Area Committee Members, surrendered to the Odisha Police on December 23rd. The surrender, which took place at the Malkangiri district police premises, included 10 women.
The surrendered Maoists also turned over a significant cache of weapons and ammunition, including AK-47 and INSAS rifles, explosives, and improvised explosive devices.
According to the Odisha Police, the surrender was motivated by increased security pressure, disillusionment with the ideology, a leadership vacuum within the Maoist ranks, lack of local support, and the state government’s new surrender-cum-rehabilitation policy.
The Odisha government is offering a total of ₹1.84 crore in financial assistance to the surrendered cadres, along with housing under the Antyodaya Housing Scheme, marriage assistance, health insurance, ration cards, and other benefits.
Director General of Police Yogesh Bahadur Khurania appealed to other Maoists to abandon violence and surrender, assuring them of government support for a dignified life in society. The government aims to mainstream remaining Maoists before April next year.
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