Bhubaneswar, Oct 20: The Odisha government has decided to deploy officials from its Police and Revenue departments in the disputed Kotia region of Koraput district to monitor developments and strengthen the state’s administrative presence following Andhra Pradesh’s move to conduct panchayat elections in the area.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari announced the decision on Tuesday after chairing a review meeting on the longstanding territorial dispute between the neighbouring states.
Under the plan, one official each from the Police and Revenue departments will be stationed in Kotia and submit regular reports to the state government on activities undertaken by Andhra Pradesh, local developments and the progress of Odisha’s ongoing projects.
The meeting was attended by the Koraput Collector and Superintendent of Police, the Southern Revenue Divisional Commissioner, the Advocate General, the Law Secretary and senior Revenue Department officials.
Odisha Weighs Legal Options in Supreme Court
Pujari said the state government would explore legal measures to safeguard Odisha’s territorial interests, including reviving the pending contempt petition before the Supreme Court or filing a fresh petition, if necessary.
Tracing the legal history of the dispute, the minister said Odisha had approached the Supreme Court in 1968. A contempt petition and a curative petition were subsequently filed in 2006 following an adverse court ruling, he added.
The minister also criticised the previous Biju Janata Dal (BJD) government, alleging that it had not adequately prepared to defend Odisha’s claims over Kotia.
He accused former Chief Minister and current Leader of the Opposition Naveen Patnaik of relying largely on correspondence instead of taking stronger steps to reinforce the state’s presence in the region.
Patnaik had on Monday urged Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to take decisive action to protect Odisha’s territorial integrity following Andhra Pradesh’s move to hold panchayat elections in Kotia.
BJP Government Highlights Development Push
Pujari said the BJP government had stepped up development activities in Kotia since assuming office, with ministers from different departments visiting the region to strengthen engagement with residents and review public services.
The government’s latest decision to station officials in the area is intended to improve monitoring of administrative activities and provide regular updates on developments along the disputed border.
BJD Counters Government’s Claims
The opposition BJD maintained that Kotia belongs to Odisha and accused the BJP government of failing to respond adequately to the latest developments.
BJD spokesperson Lenin Mohanty said the previous government had undertaken development initiatives between 2000 and 2024 to improve infrastructure and public services in the region.
He cited road connectivity projects linking Kotia with Kunduli, Doliambo-Naringipadar, Deomali and other interior areas. He also pointed to the establishment of an Odisha Adarsha Vidyalaya, tribal boys’ and girls’ hostels, Anganwadi centres and school buildings.
According to Mohanty, healthcare facilities were expanded through a 10-bed hospital, upgraded health sub-centres and mobile medical units. He also cited the establishment of a police station and improvements in electricity supply, drinking water and mobile connectivity.
He further claimed that hundreds of families had received houses under the Biju Pucca Ghar Yojana.
Longstanding Border Dispute Resurfaces
Kotia, located in Odisha’s Koraput district along the Andhra Pradesh border, has remained at the centre of a territorial dispute between the two states for decades.
Andhra Pradesh’s reported move to conduct panchayat elections in the region has renewed concerns in Odisha over its administrative presence and territorial claims.
With the state government planning to station officials in Kotia and considering further legal action, the dispute is once again drawing political attention, with both the ruling BJP and opposition BJD asserting their positions on the region’s administration and development.