Pottangi: Leaders of Andhra Pradesh-based Jana Sena Party (JSP) allegedly entered a border village under Kotia gram panchayat (GP) in Koraput district and claimed that 12 villages presently under Odisha’s jurisdiction belonged to Andhra Pradesh, raising fresh questions over border security and administrative vigilance.
The incident reportedly took place at Upper Sembi under Pottangi block Tuesday, where JSP representatives convened a meeting of villagers and local heads.
During the meeting, the party leaders asserted that the disputed villages had historically been part of Andhra and promised to raise the issue with Andhra CM N Chandrababu Naidu for resolution.
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The development has raised concern over the role of the Pottangi block administration, as the Odisha-Andhra border dispute involving Kotia GP remains sub-judice before the High Court.
According to sources, JSP representatives entered Odisha territory and addressed residents in Telugu, claiming that the 12 villages had remained under Odisha “for the past 60 years” despite belonging to Andhra.
Kotia sarpanch Liu Gemel criticised the administration, alleging a lack of visible effort to prevent the entry of Andhra officials and political workers.
Pottangi tehsildar Debendra Bahadur Singh Dharua confirmed that he is aware of the Jana Sena delegation’s visit to the village and the meeting held there.
