Pottangi: Three persons from Upper Sembi village under Kotia panchayat in Koraput district, arrested by Odisha Police for allegedly instigating villagers to disrupt an ongoing census exercise, were released from jail Tuesday after securing bail a day earlier, following intervention by an advocate from neighbouring Andhra Pradesh in a Koraput court, officials said.
Accused Piluku Tadingi, Chiranjeeb Tadingi and Sanama Tadingi were arrested on allegations of attempting to disrupt the ongoing census exercise by instigating villagers, officials said.
According to authorities, the action followed a written complaint by local tehsildar Debendra Bahadur Singh Dharua. Piluku and Chiranjeeb were arrested April 25 and produced before the court, while Sanama was arrested April 26 and remanded subsequently.
The incident triggered a political exchange between leaders from Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, refl ecting long-standing sensitivities in the border region. Bail for the three was secured Monday after advocate K. Laxman Rao, who is associated with the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), moved the court in Koraput on their behalf. The advocate was accompanied by villagers from Upper Sembi and nearby areas, who expressed support for the detainees. However, due to evening procedural constraints, their formal release from custody took place Tuesday.
Meanwhile, following the arrests, a joint team of local administration and block officials visited Madkar and Upper Sembi villages to review the status of the census operations. During the visit, residents reportedly assured officials of their full cooperation with the census being conducted by the Odisha government. The situation in Kotia region, a disputed border area between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, remains sensitive, with administrative and political developments closely watched.