Nandapur: The Odisha-Andhra Pradesh border dispute has intensified ahead of the latter’s panchayat elections scheduled for November 3, with election posters appearing in villages under Panthlung panchayat in Koraput district’s Nandapur block.
Candidates and their supporters have reportedly campaigned in border villages where some residents possess voter identity cards issued by both states.
Following instructions from the Koraput District Collector, Nandapur BDO Durga Prasad Dora, tehsildar Debabrata Moharana, Padua police station inspector Tuna Pidika and other officials visited the border areas Tuesday.
They met residents of Raipahad village, outlined Odisha government welfare schemes and removed election posters with villagers’ assistance.
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Officials said Andhra Pradesh had not established polling booths within Odisha’s territory.
Residents of several border villages reportedly receive welfare benefits, including pensions, housing and education assistance, from both states. Some said they intended to vote in Andhra Pradesh November 3 while continuing to participate in Odisha elections.
The development has prompted concerns among local intellectuals, who urged the Odisha government and district administration to monitor polling booths in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, including those at Muchingput, Adrakota, Maliput, Kandrum and Gorapur.