Kotia border dispute between Odisha-Andhra lands in HC

Cuttack: Kotia group of villages, which has remained apple of discord between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, has reached the Orissa High Court.

Social activist Achyutananda Swain of Kalyanpur in Khurda district has filed a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking the court’s intervention to end the border row between Odisha and neighbouring Andhra Pradesh involving Kotia panchayat of Patangi block in Koraput district.

Swain appealed to the HC to pass necessary directions to the state government to stop the 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 alleged that the Andhra Pradesh government has indulged in illegal construction activities 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, he added.

The Andhra government has estimated a budget of Rs 52 lakh for the road connecting Tala Ganjeipadar and Ganjeipadar.