Bhubaneswar: The long-standing inter-state border dispute over Kotia region in Koraput district has sharply escalated, prompting the Odisha government to significantly reinforce its security presence while asserting its administrative sovereignty.
Addressing a press briefing on the unfolding situation, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari came down heavily on the neighbouring state’s administrative overreach, accusing it of engineering a breakdown of law and order. “Andhra Pradesh is creating a constitutional crisis in Kotia by defying judicial understandings and attempting unilateral administrative actions,” he said.
To counter what it terms illegal trespass, Odisha filed a contempt petition in the Supreme Court against key Andhra Pradesh officials.
To safeguard the region’s territorial integrity, Pujari confirmed that the state machinery is ramping up its physical presence on the ground. “To hold the line and ensure absolute security, the state is rushing 8 fresh platoons of police officers to the ground,” he announced, emphasising that local law enforcement and administration are maintaining a strict round-the-clock vigil.
Furthermore, the Minister stated that the Odisha government plans to engage directly with the Union government to seek central intervention and restrain Andhra Pradesh from pushing administrative incursions into the territory.
With the fresh deployment, Odisha’s security footprint in Kotia has expanded to at least 16 police platoons, supported by three operational checkpoints. Senior officers—including Assistant Superintendents of Police, Deputy Superintendents of Police, and Inspectors—are also stationed on-site to maintain round-the-clock vigilance.
The Flashpoint & Prompt Administrative Move
This followed a tense face-off at Neridivalsa checkpost in Koraput district on Tuesday, triggered by Andhra Pradesh’s unilateral moves to conduct local polls in the area in alleged violation of Supreme Court directives, after police from the neighbouring state allegedly tried to dismantle barricades erected by Odisha to prevent unauthorised entry into the disputed region. This scuffle occurred just days before the upcoming November 5 elections to Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituencies (MPTCs) and Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituencies (ZPTCs), which Andhra Pradesh wants to conduct across disputed settlements, and shortly after Odisha police intercepted an Andhra Pradesh-registered truck transporting PDS rice into the region.
Koraput SP Rohit Verma had earlier confirmed the confrontation between police officers of both states in Neradivalsa village, adding that the Andhra Pradesh police team was not allowed to enter Kotia.
Referring to the incident, Pujari heaped praise on the local administration for their prompt and fearless response to Andhra’s provocations. He specifically commended Koraput Sub-Collector Fabi Rasheed, whose swift intervention at the border checkpost helped check unauthorised entry and assert state jurisdiction. “Our administrative officers, led resolutely by Sub-Collector Fabi Rasheed, have shown exemplary commitment on the ground. Rushing to the frontline to counter unauthorised moves, their proactive stance exemplifies the state’s uncompromising resolve,” he said.
The Minister noted broad political support across parties, including from Congress and BJP legislators, as well as social organisations, underscoring that defence of the region transcends party lines. The minister reiterated Odisha’s firm claim: “Kotia was, is, and will remain an integral part of Odisha.” He also pointed to the state’s ongoing welfare and development efforts in the area, including public distribution system supplies, schemes like Subhadra Yojana, education, healthcare, and infrastructure, as evidence of effective governance reaching residents.
Andhra Shifts Proposed Polling Booth From Neridivalsa
Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh has decided to move a proposed polling booth from Neridivalsa village in Kotia to Sarika village within its own territory. This decision followed bilateral discussions between officials from both states.
The meeting was attended by Andhra Pradesh Joint Collector Vaishali and Parvathipuram Sub-Collector Sachin, while Odisha was represented by Koraput Collector Manoj Satyawan Mahajan alongside MLAs Raghuram Machha and Raghuram Pedal. Following the discussions, Andhra Pradesh agreed to shift the proposed polling station to Sarika village in Vizianagaram district, about 1.5 km away from Neridivalsa.
This resolution marks a notable step forward in the sensitive Kotia border region, an area long entangled in a territorial dispute (with roots in the 1950s and a case filed in the Supreme Court in 1968) between the two neighbouring states. The conflict involves 21 of the 28 villages under Kotia gram panchayat.