Cuttack: The border row between Orissa and neighbouring Andhra Pradesh involving Kotia panchayat of Patangi block in Koraput district has landed in the Orissa High Court with the filing of public interest litigation (PIL) in this regard.
Social activist Achyutananda Swain of Kalyanpur in Khurda district has filed the petition and appealed to the HC to pass necessary directions to the state government to stop intrusion of officials of Andhra government in the area. Swain made the state Chief Secretary, Law Secretary, Home Secretary, Revenue and Disaster Management Secretary, Director General of Police, Koraput Collector, superintendent of police, sub-collector and Patangi block development officer parties to the case.
The petitioner stated that the illegal activities of Andhra Pradesh government in the disputed area are on the rise. The neighbouring state is carrying out illegal construction activities in the area. After constructing a metal road connecting Tadibalsar and Araju Balsa, now Andhra Pradesh is carrying out constructions in Tala Ganjeipadar. The Andhra government has estimated a budget of Rs 52 lakh for the road connecting Tala Ganjeipadar and Ganjeipadar.
Swain further alleged that the neighbouring state is emphasising the construction activities in Kotia in view of upcoming panchayat election. The Andhra government is planning to divide Kotia panchayat into four panchayats for which they are distributing voter ID cards among the people.
Not only the road constructions, the Andhra government is enlisting the residents in voter list and making corrections in their Aadhaar cards too. The government is trying to woo the residents by including them in various welfare schemes, Swain alleged.
Moreover, Vijayanagaram ITDA project officer and assistant project officer with the help of block administration and local representatives distributed blankets and solar lights to the people. Besides, the residents are forced to learn Telugu language. However, the local administration is doing nothing to stop the illegal activities, the petitioner stated.
PNN
