Resolve Kotia issue at political level: Supreme Court

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday advised the Odisha and the Andhra Pradesh governments to mutually resolve the Kotia border dispute through talks at a political level.

The apex court bench comprising Justice Khanwilkar and Justice Sanjiv Khanna granted six-week time to both parties to resolve the Kotia row amicably.

Notably, the Odisha government had filed a contempt of court petition in the Supreme Court seeking action against the neighbouring state over its violation of the apex court order in 1968 and 2006.

Odisha moved the apex court after Andhra Pradesh government issued notification to conduct panchayat polls in the Kotia group of villages.

Both Andhra Pradesh and Odisha have been claiming their rights over the Kotia panchayat which comprises 21 villages.

Both the governments are carrying developmental activities in the area and the residents are availing benefits under the schemes initiated by Odisha and Andhra Pradesh governments.