Odisha: In a significant blow to Maoist insurgency, security forces in Odisha have neutralized a top commander, Ganesh Uikey, along with three other Maoists in an encounter in the Rampa forest area bordering Ganjam and Kandhamal districts. The operation, which took place on Wednesday, December 25, 2025, was a joint effort by the Odisha Special Operations Group (SOG), the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and the Border Security Force (BSF).
Ganesh Uikey, a Central Committee member of the CPI (Maoist) and the head of the outfit in Odisha, carried a bounty of Rs 1.1 crore on his head. He was a veteran Maoist leader, aged 69, who had been active for over a decade in the Odisha–Chhattisgarh–Maharashtra corridor and was involved in armed operations, recruitment, and the movement of cadres through forested regions. Uikey was known by several aliases, including Pakka Hanumantu, Rajesh Tiwari, Chamru, and Rupa, and hailed from Pullemala village in Telangana's Nalgonda district.
Security officials regarded Uikey as the administrative backbone of the Maoist movement in Odisha and adjoining regions. Rising through the ranks, he was responsible for maintaining communication channels, managing logistics, and overseeing finances across key divisions during the insurgency's peak years. He also played a significant role in the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC) and was reportedly the primary link between the local units of the 'Red Corridor' and the central leadership. Uikey was often called the "brain" of the movement, which led to their expansion in the Eastern Ghats.
The encounter began around 9 am when an exchange of fire ensued between the armed Maoist group and the security forces. Authorities recovered high-calibre rifles, including two INSAS rifles and a .303 rifle, from the encounter site.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah hailed the operation as a "significant milestone towards Naxal-free Bharat". In a post on X, Shah stated that the success of the operation had brought Odisha close to becoming free of Naxalism, reiterating the government's resolve to eliminate the menace by March 31, 2026.
Odisha Police Deputy Inspector General (Operations) Akhileshwar Singh closely monitored the operation. A senior security official stated that the operation underscores the weakening of the Maoist hierarchy in eastern India, where the Naxal influence has steadily been eroding with territorial contraction and declining local support.
With Uikey's death, focus has now shifted to veteran Maoist leader Devuji, who is believed to be battling ailments and once had a significant influence on the military wing of extremist groups in the region.
Former ASP Saraj Chandra Sahu described the operation as a major success in eliminating Maoist influence in the state without any casualties to security personnel. He added that the government is proceeding effectively towards its target of eliminating Maoist activities from the country by March 31 of next year.
