Subhashree Das, few months back had told media that her husband Sabyasachi Panda, against whom about 30 criminal cases including killing of VHP Leader Laxmana Nanda Saraswati and killing of policemen at the time of armoury loot at Nayaghar were pending, would surrender only if the government withdraws charges.

The speculations about Panda's possible surrender gained ground as DGP Prakash Mishra had said that he would be happy if Panda surrenders. Mishra had also called upon all the Odia cadre of the CPI (Moaist) to return to the mainstream, as they were not treated properly by the cadre members from Andhra Pradesh and Chhatishgarh.

Police officials believe that Panda, who fell out with the top CPI (Maoist) leadership following his unilateral act of kidnapping two Ittalians in March this year, has hardly 10 men left with him and he is also running short of arms and ammunition. The CRPF and State police, which have thrown a ring around his forest hideouts, have also cut off his supply lines. Hence Panda seems desperate to surrender.

Earlier Chief Minister Naveen Pattnaik in a appeal said: “I appeal to my misguided young brothers and sisters who have gone to the Maoist cause, law of the jungle ……….. request them to return to the mainstream.”

Recently, prominent civil society members appealed Panda to join the mainstream, but he is believed to have insisted to continue armed struggle. Rajat Kumar Kujur, a research scholar suspects that it is certain that the state is heading towards a stiff turf war with the rival Maoist forces and there are reasons to believe that the CPI (Maoist) would definitely want to annihilate Panda.”