Pottangi: Tensions between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh over the disputed Kotia panchayat in Koraput district have intensified as the Andhra government deployed police personnel and established a police outpost within 24 hours of Odisha setting up police camps at three locations along the border.
According to local reports, a team led by Seshaiah, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Parvathipuram Manyam district, Andhra Pradesh, visited Neridivalasa village on the instructions of the district’s Superintendent of Police Madhav Reddy.
The team inspected arrangements for 10 ward booths at an Andhra Pradesh government ITDA building before proceeding to Talasembi village, where a police outpost was established. The DSP subsequently visited Uparasembi village, where he reviewed the situation and held discussions with police personnel already deployed there.
He also visited Fagunsineri and Fatusineri villages, interacting with residents and assessing the local situation. The developments came less than 24 hours after the Koraput district administration established police camps at three locations in the Kotia panchayat area.
The rapid deployment of police personnel by both states has raised concerns about a possible escalation of the long-running territorial dispute. During his visit, the Andhra Pradesh DSP also prepared a report detailing distances between villages in the area.
According to the report, Salur is 25km from Neridivalasa, Neridivalasa is 3km from Dhu lagapadar, and Dhulagapadar is 200 metres from Talasembi. Talasembi is 3km from Kotia, while Kotia is 1km from Tala Ganjeipadar.
The distance between Tala Ganjeipadar and Up ara Ganjeipadar is 2km, while Tala Kotia is 500 metres from Kotia. Fagun sineri and Fatusineri are 3km apart, and Uparasem bi is 3km from Talasembi. Meanwhile, residents of villages along the pancha yat’s border have reportedly stated that they would not hesitate to vote in favour of Andhra Pradesh, highlighting the continuing political contest between the two states over the region.
Kotia police inspector-in-charge Dasarathi and Salur Rural police inspector-in-charge P Ramakrishna were among those present during the Andhra Pradesh DSP’s visit.