Further extending the ongoing border dispute with Andhra Pradesh, the Odisha government today moved the Supreme Court over the administrative control of the Kotia region of Koraput district. The two states have been locked in a legal tussle for long, with both claiming authority over the region.
As per reports, the Odisha government has filed a fresh petition in the Apex court to give a clear verdict on the Kotia issue to solve the Inter-State border dispute with the neighbouring State.
It has been mentioned in the petition that the court should announce all the villages in Kotia under the jurisdiction of Odisha. It has also been requested that the court should issue a directive so that the government authorities of the State will be able to work freely in the region without any hurdle. Odisha government also demanded the Supreme Court not to allow Andhra officials to enter into the border area.
Kotia Sangathan and Koraput Bikash Parishad have wholeheartedly welcomed the move by the Odisha government. “Chief Ministers of both the states should sit together and solve the border issue amicably. I think Odisha is forced to move Supreme Court again as Andhra Pradesh is not willing to discuss the issue with its counterpart,” said Koraput MP Saptagiri Ulaka.
“The Union government should step in for the quick solution of the border issue between the two neighbouring states. I will take up the issue in the parliament. A committee should be formed to look into the matter and solve the issue,” said Ulaka.
Earlier in August 2021, the Supreme Court had advised the governments of both States to resolve the border dispute pertaining to Kotia region by engaging in bilateral discussions.