Odisha in 2025: Security gains, industrial push amid tragedies and turmoil

BHUBANESWAR: (Dec 31) As 2025 comes to an end, Odisha witnessed a year of hope and distress, from security and industrial gains to tragedies such as the self-immolation of a college student, a stampede during the Puri Rath Yatra, and controversy over the hike in salaries and allowances of MLAs.

One of the major positives for the state was its progress towards becoming a Naxal-free state, with security forces neutralising six red rebels, including CPI(Maoist) central committee member Ganesh Uike, who carried a bounty of Rs 1.1 crore on his head.

The year also saw around 22 Maoists surrender before police under the revised Surrender and Rehabilitation Policy, which offers incentives of up to Rs 1.20 crore depending on rank.