Kotia on High Alert as Odisha Moves to Stop Andhra Pradesh Polls in Disputed Villages

Kotia on High Alert as Odisha Moves to Stop Andhra Pradesh Polls in Disputed Villages

Bhubaneswar, Nov 5 (UDN): Tension has escalated in the disputed Kotia region of Odisha’s Koraput district as Andhra Pradesh prepares to conduct local body elections in the area on Thursday, triggering a fresh face-off between the two neighbouring states over territorial jurisdiction.

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The Odisha government has stepped up security arrangements across Kotia, comprising 28 villages with a population of nearly 5,000, amid concerns over Andhra Pradesh’s proposed Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituencies (MPTC) and Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituencies (ZPTC) elections.

The long-standing territorial dispute between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh dates back several decades. Since the 1960s, both states have asserted administrative claims over 21 of the 28 villages in the Kotia region.

Odisha Strengthens Security Arrangements

Odisha Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari said the state government has prepared a strategy to prevent Andhra Pradesh officials from entering the disputed territory to conduct elections.

According to the Koraput district administration, around 15 platoons of security personnel, comprising approximately 400–500 police personnel, have been deployed in the region. Barricades have also been erected at several strategic locations to restrict the entry of officials from Andhra Pradesh.

Special security arrangements have been made in border villages, including Neridibalsa, Phagun Sineri and Phatu Sineri. Additionally, prohibitory orders have been imposed in 21 disputed villages to prevent any untoward incidents.

The Odisha administration has also deployed 16 magistrates to monitor the situation, while senior officials, including Koraput Sub-Collector Fabi Rashid, have been stationed in the region.

Officials Face Off Over Entry into Kotia

The latest escalation follows a heated confrontation between police personnel and administrative officials from both states on Wednesday.

According to Odisha officials, an Andhra Pradesh campaign vehicle allegedly attempted to enter the disputed area, followed by a police vehicle that reportedly tried to remove barricades erected by the Odisha administration.

Koraput Sub-Collector Fabi Rashid alleged that Andhra Pradesh officials attempted to enter the region despite objections from Odisha authorities, who maintained that Kotia falls under the administrative jurisdiction of Koraput district.

She further stated that the Andhra Pradesh administration could not establish polling stations in Kotia for the proposed MPTC and ZPTC elections.

VIDEO | Bhubaneswar: On the Odisha-Andhra Pradesh border dispute over Kotia villages, Odisha Minister Suresh Pujari says, “This dispute is not a recent one. It dates back nearly 100 years and existed even before India gained independence in 1947. Odisha was formed as a state in 1936, becoming the first state in India to be formed on a linguistic basis. However, this issue has remained unresolved ever since. In 1968, the then Odisha government approached the Supreme Court against Andhra Pradesh, and the case remained pending for nearly 37 years. In 2006, the Supreme Court dismissed the suit filed by the Odisha government in 1968. Following this, the then Odisha government filed a review petition, which was also dismissed. Subsequently, the government again approached the Supreme Court, but that petition was rejected as well. The Kotia issue and the Andhra Pradesh government’s attempt to conduct elections in the area are creating a constitutional crisis. This is because, while dismissing Original Suit No. 10 of 1968 in 2006, the Supreme Court had issued an order directing both the Odisha and Andhra Pradesh governments to maintain the status quo.” (Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/bIyFWTfmBd)

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 4, 2026

Odisha Cites Supreme Court Status Quo Order

The Odisha government has strongly objected to Andhra Pradesh’s proposed election exercise, arguing that it violates a 2006 Supreme Court order directing both states to maintain the status quo in the disputed region.

Last week, Odisha approached the Supreme Court seeking contempt proceedings against Andhra Pradesh over its notification to conduct local body elections in Kotia.

Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari said the government would take all necessary steps to protect Odisha’s territorial integrity and prevent any unilateral action by Andhra Pradesh.

Political Parties Unite Over Kotia Issue

The sensitive territorial issue has also triggered political reactions across Odisha. Leaders of the BJP, BJD and Congress have expressed concern over the developments and stressed the need to safeguard the state’s territorial interests.

Leader of Opposition and BJD president Naveen Patnaik has urged Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to take up the matter with the Union Government and the Andhra Pradesh Government at the highest level to prevent further escalation.

In a letter to the Chief Minister, Patnaik said protecting Odisha’s territorial integrity was a moral responsibility of the state government. He also reminded the BJP leadership of its commitment to safeguard Odisha’s territorial interests in its 2024 Assembly election manifesto.

With heightened security, administrative restrictions and political pressure, Kotia remains at the centre of a renewed interstate dispute. The immediate challenge for the Odisha government is to maintain law and order while ensuring that the long-standing territorial issue does not escalate into a larger confrontation between the two states.