Odisha and Andhra Pradesh police face off at Kotia border checkpost
Tensions rose in Koraput district after police from both states clashed over upcoming local body elections in disputed villages.
Police forces from Odisha and Andhra Pradesh engaged in a heated confrontation at the Neridivalasa checkpost in Koraput district on Tuesday, according to Odisha Bytes. The incident occurred following Andhra Pradesh's decision to hold Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituency and Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituency elections on November 5 in the contested Kotia region.
The confrontation reportedly began when Andhra Pradesh police tried to pass through barricades set up by Odisha authorities to prevent unauthorised movement and electoral activities. This followed an incident on Monday where Odisha police intercepted an Andhra Pradesh-registered truck carrying PDS rice near the same location.
Both states claim administrative control over 21 of the 28 villages in the Kotia panchayat, a dispute that has been before the Supreme Court since 1968. Odisha has filed a contempt petition in the Supreme Court, alleging that the Andhra Pradesh poll notification violates a 2006 order to maintain the status quo.
Odisha Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari said that Andhra Pradesh is violating the Supreme Court's order. He stated that fresh contempt petitions have been filed against the Andhra Pradesh State Election Commissioner, District Collector, and Chief Secretary.
In response to the situation, the Koraput district administration has deployed seven platoons of police to the region. Round-the-clock surveillance is being conducted at the Neridivalasa, Talasembi, and Phatuseneri cHhak police posts to monitor cross-border movement.
Minister Pujari noted that leaders from opposing parties, including Congress MLA Ramachandra Kadam, Jeypore MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati, and local MLA Raghuram, have united to oppose the electoral moves by Andhra Pradesh.