Kotia Border Dispute Still Unresolved, Odisha Strengthens Supreme Court Case
Bhubaneswar: The longstanding Kotia border dispute between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh continues to remain under judicial scrutiny, with the Odisha government reaffirming its commitment to pursuing a strong legal battle in the Supreme Court.
Suresh Pujari, Odisha’s Revenue Minister, stated that all related petitions are currently pending before the apex court and asserted that the state is fully prepared to defend its territorial rights.
Speaking during a review meeting in Sambalpur, the minister emphasised that the present government is actively monitoring the case and taking necessary legal steps to safeguard Odisha’s interests.
He also alleged that previous administrations had not taken adequate measures to effectively address the issue.
The Kotia dispute has a long and complex history dating back to 1955, when disagreements emerged over administrative control and revenue collection in the border villages.
Odisha subsequently approached the Supreme Court in 1968 by filing an original suit under Article 131 of the Constitution.
During the same year, the apex court directed both states to maintain status quo in the disputed area.
Although the original suit was dismissed in 2006, the status quo order remained in force.
Odisha’s subsequent review and curative petitions were also dismissed, prompting the state to continue exploring legal remedies.
The dispute gained renewed attention in recent years after Odisha initiated contempt proceedings in 2021, alleging that Andhra Pradesh had undertaken administrative and election-related activities in the disputed villages.
In 2023, Odisha filed a fresh original suit seeking a re-determination of the boundary dispute.
Earlier this year, the state submitted an amended application and affidavit addressing objections raised by Andhra Pradesh.
Minister Pujari maintained that Odisha remains confident in its legal position and will continue to pursue all available judicial avenues to protect the state’s territorial integrity.
The government has reiterated that the matter should be resolved through constitutional and legal processes under the supervision of the Supreme Court.
