TOP Maoist leader Ganesh Uike, who carried a bounty of Rs 1.1 crore on his head, was among six red rebels killed in gunbattles with security forces in Odisha’s Kandhamal district, police said on Thursday. Union Home Minister Amit Shah called it a “major 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 was the chief of the banned outfit in Odisha, Sanjeeb Panda, an ADG rank 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 Belghar police station area on Wednesday night. Fresh gunbattles took place in a forest in 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,” Panda said. The identity of the other three Naxals, including two women,was yet to be ascertained, the officer said. Taking to X, Shah said, “In a major operation in Kandhamal, Odisha, 6 Naxalites, including Central Committee Member Ganesh Uike, have been neutralised so far. With this major breakthrough, Odisha stands at the threshold of becoming completely free from Naxalism.

 

We are resolved to eliminate Naxalism before the 31st of March 2026.”Majhi,whoisalso the Home Minister of the State, congratulated the police personnel for their indomitable courage, professionalism and excellent coordination. “Today, Odisha has achieved a remarkable success in the campaign to build a Naxal-free India. During the on going joint operation in Kandhamal district, 6 Naxalites, including Ganesh Uike, a member of the Naxal Central Committee, have been neutralised,” Majhi said in a social media post. With this significant breakthrough, Odisha stands on the thres hold of being completely free from Naxalism, he said.

 

“We are determined to completely eradicate Naxalism. The development of the State and the safety of the people are our highest priorities. Peace and progress will determine The future direction of Odisha,” the Chief Minister said. Addressing a press conference, DGP YB Khurania said, “While two Maoists were gunned down on Wednesday, four others, including Ganesh Uike, 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.” The DGP said operations were underway at different places along the Kandhamal Ganjam inter-district boundary. “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 the Union Home Minister’s target of eliminating Naxalism by March, 2026,” he added.