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Meet Aman Gottumukkala: Indian-origin founder joins xAI after building a million-dollar startup with a team of just three | World News

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Meet Aman Gottumukkala: The Indian-origin founder joins xAI after building a million-dollar startup with a team of just three

The rapid rise of artificial intelligence has given rise to a new generation of founders building powerful tools with very small teams. One of them is Indian-born software engineer Aman Gottumukkala, who recently announced that he has joined xAI to work on advanced coding artificial intelligence systems. Gottumukkala attracted attention after founding Firebender, an AI-powered coding assistant for Android developers, which reportedly generated millions of dollars in revenue from a team of just three people. By moving to xAI, he becomes part of a growing community of engineers working on the next generation of artificial intelligence systems.

this million dollar startup Built by Aman Gottumukkala

Gottumukkala is best known as the creator of Firebender, a development tool designed to help programmers write and manage Android code more efficiently. The software acts as an AI coding assistant integrated into developer environments such as Android Studio and JetBrains IDE.Firebender has quickly gained traction among developers and engineering teams and is widely used to automate coding tasks and increase developer productivity. Despite the small team size, the startup has reportedly scaled into millions of dollars in revenue, underscoring the growing ability of AI tools to enable small teams to build highly profitable products.

Engineering and startup background

Prior to launching Firebender, Gottumukkala worked as a software engineer at Paradigm, focusing on technology projects related to cryptocurrency and the technology ecosystem.He was also selected as a KP Fellow, a highly competitive fellowship program that connects talented engineers and founders with leading venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. The scholarship often serves as a launch pad for entrepreneurs to establish new technology start-ups.

Education and Early Academic Pathways

Gottumukkala studied computer science at Texas A&M University and completed his bachelor’s degree between 2017 and 2021. Before attending college, he attended the Texas Math and Science Academy, a selective early college program designed for students who excel in science and mathematics.He also attended Klein Oak High School in Texas. His academic path reflects his strong focus on engineering and technical disciplines from early on.

Join xAI to create the future of coding AI

Gottumukkala announced on Sunday that he will join xAI, the artificial intelligence company founded by Elon Musk. The company focuses on developing advanced artificial intelligence models and systems and aims to compete with leading artificial intelligence laboratories around the world.Gottumukkala said his work at xAI will focus on building the next generation of coding artificial intelligence, tools designed to aid developers and automate complex programming tasks. His statement also mentioned collaborations with teams associated with SpaceX, reflecting xAI’s broader interest in combining artificial intelligence with real-world technology.

A sign of the changing entrepreneurial environment

The story of Gottumukkala and Firebender highlights a major shift in the technology industry. AI-driven tools enable very small teams to build products that previously required large engineering organizations.Startups that once required dozens of developers can now launch complex platforms with just a handful of engineers. As artificial intelligence models continue to improve, founders like Gottumukkala are helping shape a new generation of development tools designed to speed up building software.His move to xAI also reflects the growing competition among AI companies to recruit talented engineers who have proven they can build successful AI products.

Farmhouse drug bust: AP TDP MP tests positive for methamphetamine

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Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh’s sitting TDP MP Putta Mahesh Kumar on Sunday tested positive for the banned substance methamphetamine (meth) in a blood test, with investigators saying he was trying to dodge a drug screen at a farmhouse party raided by Hyderabad police the previous night, reports Srinath Udali. The Eluru MP’s test results bring to six out of 11 the number of high-profile guests who failed drug tests at a Moinabad hotel owned by BRS’s former Tandur MLA pilot Rohith Reddy. Delhi businessman Namith Sharma, who was found with trace amounts of cocaine during a raid on Saturday, has also been charged with attempted murder and assault.MP faked drug test using water sample during farmhouse raidHe was booked under sections 109 and 131 of the BNS for firing at the police with a .32 revolver belonging to Rohith’s brother Rithesh Reddy Pajugula. Apart from Rohith and MP Mahesh Kumar, those accused of drug abuse include Risesh, Namis, businessman Thiruvedulla Arjun Reddy and advocate Kaushik Ravi. Moinabad DCP Yogesh Gautham said, “All 11 people at the farmhouse party have been charged with violating the Telangana Prohibition Act. We have invoked the NDPS Act against six people who tested positive (of crystal meth or cocaine). Three of them – Namis, Rohith and Risesh – have also been charged with violating the Arms Act.” Moinabad DCP Yogesh Gautham said. Rohith, Namis and Rishish have been arrested, while Mahesh Kumar and two other guests have been released on bail. An official said they were all asked to visit the Death Sentence Centre. During a drug bust on Saturday night, MP Mahesh Kumar allegedly passed a urine test by filling his sample cup with water from the restroom instead of urine. SP R Girdhar of the state’s elite anti-narcotics enforcement team (EAGLE) said: “A blood test conducted on Sunday found methamphetamine. The same test also confirmed drug abuse by five other persons who tested positive for cocaine.” Sources said CM N Chandrababu Naidu ordered the TDP to conduct an internal inquiry and directed Mahesh Kumar to stay away from party activities “until the issue is clarified”. The MP disputed the accusations and said he would “come clean”. BRS working president KT Rama Rao said he is willing to undergo a drug test anytime, responding to Telangana PCC chairman Mahesh Kumar Goud’s request to all public representatives to undergo such tests. In a raid on Saturday night, a team from EAGLE and Future City police scaled the wall of a farmhouse in Moinabad, about 30 km from Hyderabad, and discovered a high-profile party on sofas around a swimming pool, allegedly surrounded by hookahs, liquor and drugs. Police seized about two grams of a white substance. They suspect some of the medication was washed away. The package seized from Rohith’s driver Sharath Kumar has been sent for forensic examination. Investigators believe both cocaine and methamphetamine were used at the party. The seized drugs were allegedly brought by Kaushik from Shimla through his contacts.

Did Erica Kirk recruit underage girls for Epstein? Here’s the truth behind the viral Justice Department call

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Audio clips of woman arranging underage girl of deceased convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein The voice went viral on social media, claiming it was from Turning Point USA CEO Erika Kirk. However, this statement is wrong.

Turning Point USA CEO Erika Kirk delivers the State of the Union address on the House floor at the U.S. Capitol. (Bloomberg)
Turning Point USA CEO Erika Kirk delivers the State of the Union address on the House floor at the U.S. Capitol. (Bloomberg)

Although audio withdrawn from the Justice Department’s Epstein file shows that one of Epstein’s associates did set up girls for the late financier, the voices in question do not come from Epstein. Erica Kirk. Erica Kirk is not mentioned in the more than 3 million pages of Epstein documents released by the Department of Justice (DOJ).

this Epstein files on Justice Department website The audio that went viral comes from a 2006 call made on behalf of the Palm Beach Police Department, which allegedly investigated Epstein and two of his top recruiters, Haley Robson and Sarah Kellen.

During the phone call, a child who identified himself as SG spoke to Hayley Robson in an attempt to get her to admit that she was Epstein’s recruiter. Therefore, HT.com can confirm that claims that the voice is that of Erika Kirk are false.

Here’s the viral audio:

Candace Owens claims Erica Kirk had ties to Epstein

Despite the lack of known connections between Jeffrey Epstein and Erika Kirk, Erica’s fierce critic Candace Owens still claims there is a connection between the two. Owens claimed on one of her recent podcasts that Erica works at Next Model Management – a new york cityModel management agency allegedly linked to Epstein.

Also read: Candace Owens’ Erika Kirk, name in docs sparks heat, Epstein claims; ‘Totally unethical’

“More and more people are coming forward asking about specific things Erika Kirk was doing at Next Model Management in Epstein’s orbit in New York,” Candace Owens wrote. “My current position is that defending Erica Kirk is completely unethical. These questions demand answers.”

However, there is no known connection between Jeffrey Epstein and Erika Kirk. There were reports that she attended or held meetings at Next Model Management’s New York offices, but there is no evidence that she had a modeling contract or employment opportunities there.

She previously worked as a real estate agent for the Corcoran Group and now works for Turning Point USA.

‘I couldn’t see her’: Gulsimran Kaur’s mother burned to death in Canadian Walmart oven, glitch investigated

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'I couldn't see her': Gulsimran Kaur's mother burned to death in Canadian Walmart oven, glitch investigated

Eighteen months after the horrific accident shocked an Indian family in Canada, Mandip Kaur became the mother of a 19-year-old Gulsimran Kaur The woman who was burned to death in a Walmart oven breaks her silence to express displeasure with the investigation. Shortly after the tragedy, Halifax police ruled out anything suspicious. Now the Nova Scotia Ministry of Labor has announced that they found no safety violations in Gursiland’s death. The discovery prompted Mandeep, who also works at the same Walmart, to break her silence and recount the horror. Interviewed by the Daily Mail. Mandeep said she could not find any remains of her daughter. “Her body was not there. I couldn’t see her,” Mandeep said. She still says she doesn’t know what happened. On the evening of October 19, 2024, both mother and daughter were on duty. Mandeep tried to contact her daughter but was unable to reach her through text messages or phone calls. But she believed his daughter was either with customers or taking a break. But she became anxious after two managers told her they, too, had not seen Gulsimran for some time. When they arrived at the bakery, a manager noticed a “tar-like dark brown liquid” leaking from the back of the oven, which came from Gulsimran’s body, which was lying next to the grill. Mandeep collapsed and was taken away after emergency personnel arrived. Mandeep said investigators did not explain to them how Gusimran ended up in the oven and how she was unable to escape. The mother did not know how long her daughter had been in the oven or whether she screamed for help. “They don’t know. They don’t have any evidence. There’s no solid results,” she said. Mandeep is convinced that her daughter did not end her life. Gusimran was a happy girl who planned to study medicine and even received a package days after her death, her mother said. After a ceremony at the local gurdwara, the family returned to India, where Gursimran’s ashes were scattered. The Walmart store was closed for four months after the deaths, during which time the bakery was renovated and moved to another area of ​​the store. The new oven is not a walk-in oven.

Jewelery worth Rs 2 crore missing after Travancore palace robbery

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Thiruvananthapuram: Jewelery worth over Rs 2 crore was allegedly stolen from the Kowdiar Palace, the official residence of the Travancore royal family. Based on a complaint lodged by senior family member Asw-athi Thirunal Gowri Lakshmi Bai, the Peruvada police registered a case of theft. The decorations were reportedly stored in an iron cabinet in the complainant’s bedroom and were suspected to have been stolen between October and November 2025. The family initially thought the jewelry had been misplaced. These include a gold chain studded with orange coral beads and gold pearls, an anklet with a ‘pichipoo mottu’ design, and an anklet studded with black and gold beads. Police suspect the theft was carried out by someone familiar with the palace. They say footage from inside has surfaced on social media suggesting outsiders may have entered the premises.

As borders reopen, Iranians move into northern Iraq in search of cheaper food, internet and jobs

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HAJI OMERAN, Iraq — Dozens of Iranians crossed into northern Iraq on Sunday — the first day since the war struck Iran — to buy cheaper food, go online, contact relatives and find work.

As borders reopen, Iranians move into northern Iraq in search of cheaper food, internet and jobs
As borders reopen, Iranians move into northern Iraq in search of cheaper food, internet and jobs

Travelers say continued airstrikes and soaring food prices have made life in Iran increasingly desperate.

Trucks laden with cargo snaked through the Haji Omelan border crossing from Iraq’s Kurdish region, providing respite from the high costs on the Iranian side.

Even before the United States and Israel launch war with iranIranian Kurds, who frequently cross the border into Iraqi Kurdistan, share deep family, cultural and economic ties and porous borders that allow for steady trade and regular visits. Today, the Kurdish region of Iraq has become a vital lifeline to the outside world for Iranians in the war-torn region.

“When borders close, everyone is affected. Poor people, rich people, workers,” said Khider Chomani, a truck driver who was traveling to Iran to deliver goods.

The border was closed amid rising military tensions in the region. Iraqi Kurdish authorities have been waiting for Iranian authorities to reopen the crossing.

Nearly all Iranian Kurds who spoke to The Associated Press asked to remain anonymous, saying they feared for their safety and retaliation from Iranian intelligence services, which they claimed monitored anyone who spoke to the media.

They said many Iranian military bases, intelligence offices and other security sites had been destroyed. They say the bombing has restricted the movement of security forces: officers are avoiding official buildings, taking shelter in civilian sites such as schools and hospitals, or remaining mobile in vehicles rather than reporting to offices.

A Kurdish woman from Piranshahr crossed the border to contact relatives and stock up on essentials on Sunday. She has traveled 15 kilometers.

“I came here to make phone calls. There is no internet in most of Iran,” she said. “My relatives have not heard from me for more than 16 days and they are very worried about me.”

With internet outages across the country, many Iranians bought Iraqi SIM cards and gathered near the border to contact and make phone calls to family and friends abroad, she said. She came here to get a SIM card and deliver a message to her family.

She heads to the market in the town just off the road to buy groceries at a fraction of the price in Piranshahr’s hometown. She said she sought basic staples – rice and cooking oil – now prohibitively expensive in Iran due to wartime inflation.

“The situation in Iran is terrible. People don’t feel safe, things are expensive and people don’t want to leave their homes,” she said.

About half an hour later, she hurried back across the border carrying two bags of groceries. She explained that her children were waiting for her at home.

An old woman wearing a black shawl and thin clothing walked alone across the border in the pouring rain. She said she was from Sardasht, West Azerbaijan Province, Iran, and was going to Choman, an Iraqi Kurdish region about 40 kilometers from the border, to find distant relatives she knew living there and seek help.

Her son, a cross-border smuggler of cigarettes and other goods, was shot dead by Iranian soldiers 14 months ago. Smuggling is not uncommon along porous borders. He is the family’s sole breadwinner. His death left them penniless and having to care for three children, the eldest of whom only had five.

With food prices soaring, she can barely feed them and is two months behind on her rent, owing about $200. “No one can help me survive,” she said through tears. “The war made things worse – everything became more expensive.”

She failed to call ahead, hoping relatives could help. “There’s nothing I can do, but the kids are hungry and I have to do my best for them,” she said. Later, she stood in the rain waiting for a ride from a passing car.

Iranian workers from three cities crowded into a taxi to return to their jobs in Iraq’s Kurdish region. They said the men worked for the same construction company and planned to stay for a month to earn enough money to cope with rising costs in the country.

“The situation will only get worse and civilians will be the only ones affected,” said one worker. “We leave our children and wives just to come here and work and make some money, otherwise we won’t leave them alone.”

Iranian Kurds living near sites used by Iranian authorities say they have been forced to flee to safer areas to avoid bombings.

A house painter who lives in the Iranian city of Urmia but works in Erbil in northern Iraq says the constant bombardment has become a fact of life. He briefly returned home at his mother’s urging after she was frightened by the explosion. He assured her that the family had no links to Iranian authorities and had nothing to worry about.

The situation was so dire that another Iranian Kurdish metal factory worker living in the Kurdish region of Iraq begged his family in Urmia to relocate and live with him. His family, including his wife and three children, arrived on Sunday and rested at a roadside restaurant.

He said security forces were no longer holed up in the base after repeated attacks. Many military, intelligence and police facilities are in ruins and personnel avoid fixed posts.

“They don’t stay in the office,” he said. “They were in their cars, under bridges, in schools and hospitals. They were driving everywhere. Their base was destroyed.”

This article was generated from automated news agency feeds without modifications to the text.

UAE port attacked but Indian oil tanker sails safely

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New Delhi: The Indian-flagged oil tanker ‘Jag Laadki’, whose oil terminal was attacked while loading crude oil at the UAE port of Fujairah on Saturday, safely sailed to India from the port on Sunday morning, the shipping ministry said. It added that the ship was carrying about 80,800 tonnes of Murban crude, a grade of oil produced in the UAE. The ministry also said that all Indian seafarers on board the vessel were safe. The vessel is owned and operated by Mumbai-based Great Eastern Shipping Company.

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A Liberian-flagged oil tanker “MT Smyrni” arrived at Mumbai port on Saturday night carrying about 140,000 tons of crude oil. This is the third tanker to arrive at an Indian port after passing through the Strait of Hormuz during the conflict in West Asia. “Two Indian-flagged LPG carriers Shivalik and Nanda Devi, carrying approximately 92,712 tons of LPG, crossed the Strait of Hormuz on March 14 and are currently en route to India and are scheduled to arrive at Mundra port on March 16 and Kandla port on March 17, respectively,” the government said in a statement. Currently, 22 Indian-flagged ships and 611 seafarers remain west of the Persian Gulf region. India has been discussing with Iran the safe passage of Indian-flagged vessels in conflict-affected areas.

‘Misleading claims’: UAE official rebukes Iran’s top minister, denies accusations of aggression in Iran’s war with US-Israel

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'Misleading claims': UAE official rebukes Iran's top minister, denies accusations of aggression in Iran's war with US-Israel
UAE slams Iran’s claims of ‘aggression’, says accusations are misleading

A fierce diplomatic exchange broke out between the UAE and Iran after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused the UAE of “aggression” against Tehran. That claim was quickly rejected by senior Emirati officials, who called the accusation misleading and insisted the UAE’s actions were essentially defensive amid a rapidly escalating regional crisis.The dispute comes as the Gulf region already grapples with high levels of instability caused by missile and drone attacks linked to the broader conflict with Iran, Israel and the United States. Against this volatile backdrop, the UAE has sought to clarify its position while urging restraint and diplomatic efforts.

UAE refutes Iran’s accusations in war with US-Israel

The latest dispute began when Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused the UAE of participating in hostilities against Iran. In this regard, Anwar Gargash, the diplomatic adviser to the UAE President, publicly refuted this statement, saying that this accusation reflected a misunderstanding of the situation and ignored the reality that Gulf countries continue to be attacked. Gargash believes that the UAE acted in self-defense rather than aggression. He noted that Iran’s accusations are particularly compelling given that Gulf states have faced numerous missile and drone attacks during the ongoing conflict. Emirati officials said the country continues to emphasize restraint while reserving the right to defend its territory and citizens.The diplomatic conflict is inseparable from the broader geopolitical crisis currently unfolding. middle East. The situation has escalated following a series of recent military confrontations between Iran, Israel and the United States. The developments triggered retaliatory attacks across the region and forced Gulf states to adopt a tighter security posture. The UAE reported intercepting missiles and drones aimed at its territory, while multiple civilian infrastructure sites were also targeted during the conflict. These attacks cause loss of life and disrupt travel, energy infrastructure and business operations across the Gulf. These developments have made the UAE an inadvertent frontline state in a broader geopolitical confrontation.

UAE says it acted in self-defense amid war between Iran and US-Israel

Responding to Tehran’s accusations, Gargash stressed that the UAE’s policy remains based on defensive measures, not escalation. He said the country retained the “right to self-defense” against attacks but continued to prioritize restraint and diplomatic solutions.The stance reflects the UAE’s long-term strategy of balancing a strong security response with calls for regional de-escalation. Officials believe that defending infrastructure and intercepting incoming threats does not constitute aggression but is a necessary response to protect civilians and national assets.

Iranian claims and regional tensions in US-Israel war

However, Iran insists that Gulf states, including the United Arab Emirates, indirectly support military operations against Iran by allowing Western allies to operate in the region. Tehran has also claimed that some facilities in the Gulf state were used to launch attacks against Iranian targets, a claim that Emirati officials have strongly denied.The dispute reflects the broader information war that accompanies military conflicts, with both sides trying to shape international perceptions of responsibility for escalating violence.

UAE calls for de-escalation of tensions over Iran, US-Israel war

Despite the heated rhetoric, the UAE has repeatedly urged all parties to the conflict to seek a diplomatic solution. At international forums, UAE representatives called for an immediate reduction in hostilities and the resumption of negotiations. They warned that continued escalation could destabilize the entire Gulf region and threaten global energy markets. The Gulf region remains strategically important as it hosts some of the world’s most important oil and gas shipping routes, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz. Any disruption in the region could have significant consequences for the global economy.

The impact of the war between Iran and the United States on the Gulf and other regions

Tensions between Iran and Gulf states have had ripple effects across multiple areas. Airspace closures and safety concerns have forced airlines to cancel or reroute flights across the Middle East. About a fifth of the world’s oil supply passes through the Strait of Hormuz, and concerns about conflict near the Strait have triggered swings in global oil prices.Some Gulf states have stepped up defenses after intercepting missile and drone attacks. These developments show how quickly regional disputes can impact global trade, travel and energy markets.

UAE’s strategic balancing act in Iran-US-Israel war

The UAE’s response highlights the delicate balancing act it faces in the current geopolitical environment. On the one hand, the country maintains strong strategic partnerships with Western allies, including the United States. On the other hand, it has historically sought to maintain diplomatic channels with regional powers such as Iran.This dual approach of combining security cooperation with diplomatic outreach has been a cornerstone of the UAE’s foreign policy for many years. By rejecting Iran’s accusations while calling for de-escalation, the UAE appears to be continuing this strategy.

Information Warfare and Misinformation in the Iran-U.S.-Israel War

Another aspect of the conflict is the spread of misinformation online. UAE authorities have warned against sharing unverified content related to the crisis, arguing that misleading narratives could fuel panic or harm national security. In the latest crackdown, authorities arrested dozens of people accused of spreading fabricated videos or false claims about the clashes on social media.

​Anwar Gargash, Advisor to the President of the United Arab Emirates on Diplomacy and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates

Anwar Gargash, Advisor to the President of the United Arab Emirates on Diplomacy and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates

Officials say maintaining accurate information is critical during times of crisis when rumors spread quickly. With tensions remaining high, analysts have warned that diplomatic confrontation between Iran and Gulf states could intensify if the broader regional conflict persists. However, many experts believe that Gulf states, including the UAE, will continue to push for diplomatic solutions rather than direct military confrontation.The UAE denies accusations of aggression while insisting any defensive action is only to protect its territory and citizens. The diplomatic spat between the UAE and Iran highlights the fragile security environment in the Gulf today. While accusations and counter-allegations dominate the headlines, many regional leaders continue to stress the importance of restraint, dialogue and international cooperation.

Will Tucker Carlson be arrested? Explosive allegation over CIA referral sparks controversy; ‘They read my text messages’

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Conservative activist and commentator Tucker Carlson has been at the center of the controversy after he claimed the CIA was allegedly preparing to hand over the criminal case against him to the Justice Department.

Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson. (Bloomberg)
Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson. (Bloomberg)

Carlson claimed on Saturday’s show that the CIA “read” text messages he exchanged with Iranian officials before the US-Israeli attack. Iran. He claims the Trump administration is preparing to arrest him under the Foreign Agents Act.

“One day I found out that the CIA was preparing some kind of criminal referral against me, a criminal report to the Department of Justice based on a presumed crime that I had committed,” Carlson said. “What crime was that?” Well, talk to the Iranians before the war. They read my text messages.

“So, the crime that’s being considered is obviously the Foreign Agents Act or something like that, acting as an agent for a foreign power. I don’t think that’s going to go anywhere. I’m not too worried about an actual criminal case against me for a number of reasons.”

As Carlson’s claims went viral, they sparked speculation that he had arrestedwhich is not the case. Ht.com can confirm that as of now, Carlson has not been charged with any criminal offenses. He only claimed that charges may be filed in the coming days.

This story is being updated.

11 Maoists offered Rs 6.3 million reward for surrender

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Bhubaneswar: As many as 11 Maoists carrying a bounty of Rs 6.33 crore surrendered to the Odisha police in Kalahandi district on Sunday and handed over a large amount of arms and ammunition, Debabrata Mohapatra reported. Maoists are active in Kalahandi, Rayagada and Kandhamal. One of them is from Maharashtra and 10 others are from Chhattisgarh. They will receive a total compensation of Rs 1.20 lakh, which includes a bonus of Rs 63.3 lakh and an additional cash incentive of Rs 60 lakh. They handed over 11 weapons, including an AK-47, an INSAS rifle and four SLR cameras. According to police, by now, the number of armed Maoists in Odisha has dropped to around 15.