New Delhi, July 10 -- Removing five districts from the Left Wing Extremism affected Security Related Expenditure (SRE) scheme, the Odisha government declared Angul, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Boudh and Nayagarh officially free from Maoists.

"This recognises improved security situation in these districts. Odisha Police is committed to making the whole of Odisha LWE free," said Director General of Police (DGP) Abhaya. With this a total of 11 districts in the state are now officially free from Maoists.

It is the robust security response and the focused developmental activities that have brought about a change in the situation in the state in last few years, said IGP (Operation), Amitabh Thakur.

In a press release, the Odisha Police said that lar...