Bhubaneswar: Amid renewed tension over Kotia, Odisha Congress on Thursday demanded a dedicated development council and special package for the cluster of villages in Koraput district claimed by both Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.
The border dispute dates back to British era. Kotia has been administered by Odisha since the state was formed as a separate province in 1936. Odisha moved Supreme Court in 1968 against Andhra Pradesh, and in 2006 the apex court ordered status quo.
The issue flared up again after Andhra Pradesh on October 19 notified rural elections including three villages in Kotia region. Polls are slated for November 5. Odisha government filed a contempt petition against officials of neighbouring state on October 23 opposing the move.
A Congress delegation led by OPCC president Bhakta Charan Das visited Kotia panchayat in Pottangi block and interacted with locals to assess problems.
Addressing media, Das said Kotia is part of Pottangi block in Koraput, while Andhra Pradesh claims it as part of Salur mandal in Parvathipuram Manyam district. The entire region was part of Jeypore Zamindari under Madras Presidency before Independence.
“Kotia belongs to us. This is an absolute, undeniable truth. We have ITDA and Odia-medium schools there. Andhra Pradesh has done nothing to stake its claim,” Das said.He alleged Andhra was trying to woo tribals through welfare schemes as Kotia is rich in bauxite, manganese, graphite and gold deposits. Presence of some Telugu-speaking settlers within Odisha borders does not make Kotia part of Andhra Pradesh, he added.
Das demanded opening of a bank branch in Kotia, noting locals travel to Pottangi for banking, and said remote villages under Kotia panchayat are deprived of welfare schemes.Meanwhile, despite heavy rain triggered by Cyclone Arnab, Odisha Police continued round-the-clock surveillance at three points – Neradivalasa, Harmadingi Chhack near Phatusenari and Tolo Sembi – to check vehicular movement from Andhra and prevent election-related activities.
Koraput SP Rohit Verma said surveillance is on despite slippery hilly roads. Four personnel remain on duty at each post at night and 10-12 during day. SDPO Sunabeda Sumitra Jena said food is being cooked centrally at Kotia police station and supplied to posts as rain disrupted cooking arrangements. A tent at Harmadingi Chhack was damaged and personnel shifted to nearby shelter.
Around 60 personnel in two platoons have been deployed and vehicles entering Kotia are being checked, officials said.
