Kotia Border Row Intensifies as Congress Leaders Confront Andhra Police
KORAPUT: Tensions escalated once again in the disputed Kotia region of Odisha’s Koraput district after senior Congress leaders confronted Andhra Pradesh Police personnel during a fact-finding visit to the border area.
A high-level delegation of the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC), led by PCC President Bhakta Charan Das, visited Kotia Panchayat under Pattangi block to assess the ground situation and protest alleged encroachments by Andhra Pradesh.
According to party leaders, continuous activities by Andhra Pradesh authorities in the disputed villages have triggered fresh concerns among local residents.
Adverse weather conditions caused by a looming cyclone forced the cancellation of an outdoor public meeting, which was shifted to the Kotia Panchayat Office conference hall.
During the meeting, leaders discussed the ongoing border dispute and administrative issues affecting the region.
Koraput MP Saptagiri Ulaka criticised the district administration, alleging negligence over the prolonged vacancy of the Revenue Inspector post in Kotia.
He also accused Odisha’s ruling party MPs of failing to effectively raise critical issues such as the Kotia and Polavaram disputes in Parliament.
Addressing the gathering, PCC President Bhakta Charan Das strongly objected to Andhra Pradesh’s activities in Kotia, alleging attempts to conduct elections and other administrative operations in the disputed area.
He asserted that Kotia belongs to Odisha and warned against any alleged efforts to gain control over the region’s mineral resources.
The situation became tense when the Congress delegation proceeded towards Neridibalsa village and encountered Andhra Pradesh Police personnel near Uparasembi village.
Jeypore MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati strongly protested their presence, asking them to leave what he described as Odisha territory.
Following the confrontation, party workers reportedly removed traffic signboards allegedly installed by Andhra Police and raised slogans against Andhra Pradesh’s presence in the area.
To prevent further escalation, Odisha Police intervened and escorted the delegation back to Pattangi through an alternative route.
Several Congress legislators and party functionaries, including Ramachandra Kadam, Pabitra Santa, Appal Swamy, Satyajit Gomango, Nilamadhab Hikaka, Mangu Khilla, Meenakshi Bahinipati and Rupak Turuk, participated in the visit.
The latest incident has once again brought the long-standing Odisha-Andhra Pradesh border dispute in Kotia into focus, with political leaders demanding stronger measures to protect Odisha’s territorial interests.
