Top Maoist couple carrying ₹1 crore reward surrender in Odisha; 19 Maoists lay down arms

Odisha Police announced that a top Maoist couple, Nikhil alias Niranjan Rout and Ankita alias Rashmita Lenka, surrendered on Thursday (February 5, 2026), marking a significant victory in the state's fight against Left Wing Extremism. The couple, who had been active in the CPI (Maoist) for over two decades, were key figures in the organization's operations in Odisha. They surrendered along with 19 other Maoists, including 15 in Rayagada district, and handed over 14 sophisticated firearms to police. The state government is committed to eradicating Maoist activities by March 31st, offering rehabilitation and resettlement programs for those willing to abandon violence.