Bolangir and Bargarh Declared Naxal-Free Districts, Says DGP Yogesh Bahadur Khurania

Bhubaneswar: In a major boost to Odisha’s internal security landscape, Director General of Police (DGP) Sri Yogesh Bahadur Khurania on Monday announced that Bolangir and Bargarh districts have been officially declared Naxal-free, marking a historic milestone in the State’s sustained anti-Naxal operations.

The declaration follows a significant development in neighbouring Chhattisgarh’s Mahasamund district, which shares a border with Bargarh. On Monday, 15 Maoists, who were active in the Bargarh–Bolangir–Mahasamund division, laid down their arms and joined the mainstream of society. With this surrender, all active Naxal presence in Bolangir and Bargarh districts has been effectively eliminated, enabling the formal declaration.

The DGP attributed this success to sustained and coordinated joint operations carried out over a prolonged period, supported by precise intelligence inputs, close coordination between Central and State security forces, and the active cooperation of local residents. These collective efforts, he said, have led to the complete dismantling of Naxal networks and infrastructure in the two districts.

Highlighting the role of the police force, Khurania said the achievement was made possible due to the courage, discipline, restraint, and unwavering commitment of officers and personnel deployed in challenging conditions. He congratulated all teams involved in the operations and expressed his gratitude to the people for their trust, cooperation, and continued support in the fight against Left-Wing Extremism.

Reiterating the State’s resolve to eliminate Naxalism, the DGP said similar intensified operations would continue in other affected regions of Odisha to ensure the complete eradication of the problem at the earliest. He added that the focus would remain on a balanced approach combining robust security measures with development initiatives and community engagement to sustain long-term peace and stability.

The declaration of Bolangir and Bargarh as Naxal-free districts is seen as a significant step towards achieving a Naxal-free Odisha and strengthening overall security and development in the region.