Bhubaneswar: The Koraput administration has imposed Section 163 in Neredibalsa to maintain law and order amid rising tensions in the disputed Kotia region, where Andhra Pradesh is preparing to hold elections on November 5 and 6.
Andhra is gearing up for the polls a day later, while police, administration and public representatives remain on high alert along the border areas. The Odisha government has adopted a Do-or-Policy policy on Kotia, deploying all strategies to ensure that Andhra officials are not allowed to enter Odisha under any circumstances. Police forces of the two states have already faced off.
Tensions flared again when Odisha police stopped Andhra police personnel attempting to enter the Neredibalsa check post. What began as a verbal exchange quickly escalated into a stand-off. Local Kotia residents, standing alongside Odisha police, opposed the Andhra force, with the entire area echoing with slogans of “Andhra police, go back.”
Koraput District Magistrate Manoj Satyawan Mahajan said all preparations are in place to counter Andhra Pradesh’s move. Sixteen platoons of police force have been deployed in Kotia, while Executive Magistrates are present in three shifts. The administration is also running awareness camps in various villages to educate local residents.
The long-standing dispute between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh over Kotia continues without a permanent solution, even after changes in government. This time, however, all political parties have united to oppose Andhra’s elections. Public representatives from all parties, social organisations and local people have jointly strategised to protest the polls. BJD workers will begin guarding the border from tomorrow.
The Odisha government has already filed a contempt of court case in the Supreme Court against Andhra Pradesh’s unilateral decision. Officials maintain that the neighbouring state has illegally announced elections in Kotia.
