Koraput: Last month, hundreds of villagers from Kotia region on the Odisha-Andhra Pradesh border marched into Vizianagaram, where they were welcomed by AP officials.
Among the AP officials who welcomed the villagers was Vizianagaram Collector A Surya Kumari.
It was Surya Kumari who on Sunday visited Deomali hills in Koraput district on Sunday, raising eyebrows. She visited the Deomali hills along with a large entourage of officials and police personnel from Andhra Pradesh, who came in a convoy of nearly 15 vehicles, sources said.
In last month’s incident, the villagers from 17 villages in Kotia had marched to Vizianagaram and submitted a resolution to Surya Kumari. They had also met SP M Patil seeking protection from the Odisha government.
They were greeted with drums and garlands. Food arrangements were also made for them.
Surya Kumari had welcomed the villagers and assured all help from the AP government.
AP too stakes claim to the villages in Kotia region, resulting in a territorial dispute between the two neighbours over villages in the region, which has led to tension.
