TNI Bureau: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi inaugurated a new Training-cum-Briefing Hall at the Special Operations Group (SOG) campus in Chandaka along with a state-of-the-art Counter Terrorism Training Complex, significantly strengthening the state’s counter-insurgency and anti-terror preparedness.

The newly inaugurated training and briefing facility has the capacity to train up to 400 SOG personnel simultaneously, while the Counter Terrorism Training Complex is equipped with modern infrastructure to provide advanced, specialised training to elite forces engaged in anti-terror and anti-Maoist operations.

On the occasion, the Chief Minister also inaugurated multiple police infrastructure projects across the state, including 16 police stations in 16 districts, along with 70 residential quarters, office buildings, barracks, armouries and administrative structures, aimed at improving operational efficiency and living conditions of police personnel.

Addressing the gathering, CM asserted that violence has no place in a democracy and said the state government is fully committed to taking strict action against organisations and individuals involved in violent activities. At the same time, he appealed to armed extremists to lay down arms, surrender, and join the mainstream of society, assuring them of rehabilitation and development-oriented support from the government.

The Chief Minister highlighted the crucial role played by the SOG in tackling the Maoist problem that has plagued parts of Odisha for over three decades. He said Odisha is steadily moving towards meeting the central government’s target of eliminating Left-Wing Extremism by March 2026. Referring to recent developments, he described the mass surrender of 22 Maoists in Malkangiri district as an encouraging sign of success in this direction.

He credited the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the strategic approach of the Union Home Ministry for the improved internal security scenario and said the country is progressing rapidly on the path of peace and development.

Risk Allowance Enhanced:

In a major announcement for personnel involved in high-risk operations, the Chief Minister declared a substantial increase in risk allowance for SOG and other anti-Naxal forces, effective from December 2025.

SOG officers directly engaged in operations will receive up to ₹25,000 per month

Subedars and Deputy Subedars: ₹24,000 per month

Havildars: ₹20,000 per month

Constables and Sepoys: ₹16,000 per month

Additionally, SOG, AET and RC personnel engaged in training or other duties, though not directly involved in operations, will receive up to ₹12,000 per month.

Members of the District Volunteer Force (DVF) will be entitled to up to ₹10,000 per month, while personnel of the Special Intelligence Wing (SIW) will receive up to ₹20,000 per month as risk allowance.

The Chief Minister said the state government has taken several steps to make the police force stronger and more effective. These include the establishment of three Odisha Special Striking Force (OSSF) battalions, three Odisha Industrial Security Force (OISF) units, 10 new ODRAF units, a dedicated Traffic and Road Safety Wing, 21 cyber and economic offences police stations, and a new police district at Rairangpur.

He further informed that approval has been granted for the creation of 15,326 new posts in the police department.

CM also announced that the state government has approved a revised Surrender and Rehabilitation Policy. Under the scheme, surrendered Maoists can receive benefits of up to ₹1.20 crore, along with housing support, educational assistance, marriage support, skill training and a monthly stipend of ₹10,000 to facilitate their reintegration into society.

During the programme, SOG commandos showcased live counter-terror and anti-insurgency demonstration operations, displaying their combat readiness and tactical skills.

Senior officials present at the event included DGP Yogesh Bahadur Khurania, ADGP (ANO) Sanjeeb Panda, IGP (Operations) Dr Deepak Kumar, DIG SIW Akhileshwar Singh, and other senior police officers and SOG personnel.