Death of Modem Balakrishna, central committee member of CPI (Maoist) in encounter with security forces in Gariaband district of Chhattisgarh on Thursday (September 11, 2025) has come a shot in arm for Odisha police which is now looking to make the State free from Maoist influence by March 2026.
“Balakrishna had been a central committee member for over a decade. He was also secretary of State Committee of CPI (Maoist). Being the tallest leader among cadres of CPI (Maoist), he used to have final say on every strategy of expanding left wing extremism in the State,” said Sanjeeb Panda, Additional Director General (Operations) of Odisha Police.
“Obviously, his death is a blow to naxal movement in Odisha although we have had little activities of Left Wing Extremists (LWEs) on ground compared to early 2000 and 2010. However, we are watchful of not giving any opportunities for revival of violence activities by CPI (Maoist) in the State,” said Mr. Panda.
Pramod, another key leader in Odisha State Committee, was also killed in the Gariaband encounter.
Balakrishna, who hailed from Warangal district in Telangana, was involved many audacious attack on security forces and establishments including bauxite mines of National Aluminium Company, situated at 4500 ft above sea level, in 2009. He was lately active in the CPI (Maoist) division comprising Dhamtari, Gariaband and Nuapada (DGN). While Dhamtari and Gariapand are in Chhattisgarh, Nuapada is in Odisha.
