Police to honour martyrs killed in battle against Maoists

Bhubaneswar: Following the official elimination of left-wing extremism in Odisha on Tuesday, the state police have launched an initiative to honour the sacrifices of security personnel who laid down their lives in the decades-long battle against Maoists.“As part of the heartfelt move, we have instructed district superintendents of police to send teams to the homes of the bereaved families of martyred security personnel. Officers are personally meeting the family members, and spending time with them to acknowledge the invaluable contributions of their loved ones in achieving a Maoist-free atmosphere,” ADG (anti-Naxal operations) Sanjeeb Panda said.The battle against the extremism in Odisha was long and arduous.

Over the years, the state lost 239 security personnel and 359 civilians in Maoist violence. Their sacrifices, officials said, paved the way for peace and stability in the region.“We have asked the police stations concerned to stay in touch with these families and help redress their grievances, if any,” Panda said.The senior cop emphasized that the initiative is not just symbolic but a continuing effort to ensure families feel connected to the mission their kin fought for.

“The decades-long battle was not easy to win. We lost many brave hearts, but their sacrifices will be remembered forever. With this initiative, we try to reinforce the message that the martyrs remain an integral part of the milestone and that their families will always be respected and supported,” ADG Panda said.