Bhubaneswar: Odisha has deployed seven platoons of police personnel in the disputed Kotia region and stepped up security along the inter-state border, as political parties across the state have joined hands to oppose Andhra Pradesh’s electoral activities in the area, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said on Tuesday.
The minister said residents of Kotia were opposing Andhra Pradesh’s election-related activities, with all political parties in Koraput coming together on a common platform to protect the region’s interests. Local residents, political representatives and members of social organisations are expected to remain present in Kotia on polling day to oppose the electoral exercise.
The state administration has made extensive arrangements to maintain law and order, with seven platoons of police personnel deployed in the region and checkpoints established along the border. Senior administrative officials will also closely monitor the situation, Pujari said.
He said local residents had reportedly turned back vehicles carrying rice from Andhra Pradesh. Administrative officials from the neighbouring state who had visited the region were also sent back.
Pujari said the people of Kotia had witnessed the Odisha government’s support, particularly during the recent cyclone, when the state administration stood firmly by them.
Referring to previous elections, the minister said Andhra Pradesh had earlier set up polling booths within Kotia. However, this year, polling booths have been established outside the disputed region, within the territory of Andhra Pradesh.
Pujari said the Odisha administration was fully prepared to deal with any eventuality and ensure that the situation remained under control.
The minister also highlighted the legal history of the Kotia dispute, stating that the then state government had approached the Supreme Court in 1968 over the issue. After losing the case in 2010, the previous government approached the apex court again in 2021, alleging contempt of court.
The present Odisha government has also filed another petition in the matter, he said.
Pujari further stated that a case had been filed in the Supreme Court against the Chief Secretary of Andhra Pradesh, the District Collector and other administrative officials. Describing Andhra Pradesh’s actions as an attempt that had triggered a constitutional crisis, he said the Odisha government was seeking legal advice to strengthen its case and pursue the matter through legal channels.
The Kotia region, located along the Odisha-Andhra Pradesh border in Koraput district, has remained a subject of a long-standing territorial dispute between the two states.
