Bhubaneswar/Koraput: Odisha’s Congress unit Thursday demanded the formation of a dedicated council and a special financial package for the comprehensive development of the Kotia cluster of villages in Koraput district, which is also claimed by neighbouring Andhra Pradesh.
The dispute between the two states dates back to the British era, while Kotia has remained part of Odisha since the state was formed as a separate province in 1936.
The dispute reached the Supreme Court in 1968, when the then Odisha government filed a petition against Andhra Pradesh.
In 2006, the apex court directed both states to maintain status quo, according to the account of the case.
The issue escalated again after Andhra Pradesh issued a notification October 19 to hold rural elections in its state, including three villages in the Kotia region of Odisha.
The polls are scheduled for November 5.
Opposing the move, the Odisha government filed a contempt petition against officials of the neighbouring state October 23.
Amid a political tussle between the ruling BJP and the Opposition BJD over the issue, a Congress delegation led by Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Bhakta Charan Das visited Kotia panchayat in Koraput district and interacted with locals to understand their problems.
Addressing a press conference here, Das said Kotia falls under Pottangi block of Odisha’s Koraput district, while Andhra Pradesh claims the region as part of Salur mandal in Parvathipuram Manyam district.
Before Independence, the entire Kotia region was part of the Jeypore Zamindari, which fell under the Madras Presidency, he said, adding that Odisha had been administering the area since 1936.
Das alleged that Andhra Pradesh was seeking to win over the local tribal population through various welfare schemes because the region was rich in mineral resources, including bauxite, manganese and graphite, as well as gold.
“Kotia belongs to us. This is an absolute, undeniable truth. We have ITDA (Integrated Tribal Development Agency) and Odia-medium schools there. Andhra Pradesh has done nothing to stake its claim over the region,” he said.
The presence of some Telugu-speaking people who had settled permanently within Odisha’s borders did not mean that Kotia belonged to Andhra Pradesh, the Congress leader said.
Das also demanded the opening of a bank branch in Kotia, saying residents had to travel to the Pottangi block headquarters for routine banking transactions due to the lack of adequate banking facilities in the region.
He further alleged that residents of remote villages under Kotia panchayat were not receiving the benefits of various government welfare schemes.
Citing these concerns, the OPCC president demanded a dedicated board or council and a special package for the overall development of the disputed region.
Meanwhile, Odisha Police personnel continued round-the-clock surveillance at three strategic locations in Kotia panchayat despite incessant rain triggered by Cyclone Arnab, officials said.
The deployment is part of the state’s efforts to prevent alleged interference by Andhra Pradesh in the disputed villages ahead of the forthcoming elections in the neighbouring state.
Koraput SP Rohit Verma said the deployment would continue despite the inclement weather, with heightened surveillance being maintained in view of the scheduled polls.
“The incessant rain has made conditions difficult for our personnel, particularly as roads in the hilly terrain have become slippery. However, surveillance is continuing at all three locations. While four personnel remain on duty at each post during the night, around 10 to 12 personnel are deployed during the day,” Verma said.
Police personnel have been deployed at Neradivalasa, Harmadingi Chhack near Phatusenari and Tolo Sembi to monitor vehicular movement from Andhra Pradesh and prevent election-related activities in the disputed villages, officials said.
Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), Sunabeda, Sumitra Jena said heavy rain had also disrupted cooking arrangements at the temporary police posts.
To address the problem, food is being prepared at a centralised location at Kotia police station and supplied to personnel stationed at the three posts, she said.
“The temporary tent at Harmadingi Chhack was damaged due to the incessant rain, following which the personnel stationed there were shifted to a nearby shelter. Efforts are underway to restore the tent at the earliest,” Jena said.
At least two platoons of police personnel, comprising around 60 personnel, have been deployed in the region to monitor movement from Andhra Pradesh.
Vehicles entering Kotia are being checked, and records of their movement are being maintained, officials said.
