At Odisha's Gandhamardan, posters with phone numbers of ex-rebels urge Maoists to surrender

BHUBANESWAR: Odisha police have taken their anti-Naxal campaign to a new level by publicising the phone numbers of surrendered Maoists to encourage active cadres to reach out directly to their former colleagues if they wished to surrender arms and reintegrate into society.

Till now, the police shared their own numbers and relied mainly on audio and video appeals from prominent surrendered leaders. But this time, they have gone further - pasting posters across the Gandhamardan hills in the Balangir-Bargarh axis.




These posters carry the messages and contact details of former Maoists such as Nikhil and his wife Ankita, along with associates Nitu, Anupa, Mamta, Champa, Akash, Manish, and Sangita, who have surrendered recently. The appeals are printed in multiple languages - Odia, Hindi, English and Gondi - ensuring they reach diverse tribal communities.

"This step has been designed to provide assurance, inspire confidence and build trust among Maoists. Those who want to surrender can be convinced by speaking directly to their former colleagues, who are now enjoying the benefits of our govt's attractive surrender and rehabilitation policy," said ADG (anti-Naxal operations) Sanjeeb Panda, praising the special intelligence wing (SIW) for its initiative.

The campaign is not limited to posters. Police have intensified the traditional use of television, radio, social media, village sabhas, street plays and other communication mediums to spread the message. Officers say the strategy aims to build trust, instil confidence and assure Maoists that surrendering is not only safe but also beneficial.

Alongside these appeals, the police have displayed posters of 15 wanted Naxals, collectively carrying a bounty of about Rs 2.6 crore, at strategic locations in Maoist strongholds.

The list includes Sudarsan alias Bikash, a Maoist special zonal committee member with a reward of Rs 65 lakh, and divisional committee members Mangesh alias Ramesh Padda, Babu alias Saitu, and Bodu Madkami alias Manoj, each with Rs 32 lakh on their heads.

Area committee members such as Pramila, Manjula, Roja and Rashmi carry bounties of Rs 15.5 lakh each, while party members like Radhika, Nani, Rina, Dinesh, Ranila, Sonu and Shanti are tagged with Rs 2.5 lakh each.

"The posters highlight the benefits of our govt's surrender policy. We encourage Maoists to surrender and avail themselves of rehabilitation benefits," Panda said.