The contentious border issue between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh has once again come to the fore after the authorities of Vizianagaram district of the neighbouring state opposed the construction of a temple in the bordering villages under Pottangi Block in Koraput district.
According to reports, a team of Andhra officials led by Saluru Sub-Collector opposed the structure of the temporary Lord Patitapaban temple and renovation of an old Goddess temple by the villagers of Nerellavalasa.
The team conducted an enquiry at the spot on Monday and submitted a detailed report to Vizianagaram district Collector following a discussion with the local residents.
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“According to the Supreme Court verdict, nobody has the right to construct permanent constructions in the disputed region. Based on the investigation at the spot, we have submitted a detailed report to Vizianagaram Collector,” said an Andhra official.
Earlier on Friday, another team of Andhra officials led by the local Tehsildar had stopped the temple construction work by terming it unauthorised. They also shooed away the construction workers as well as the temple authorities.
Officials of the neighbouring state had also stopped the construction and repairing of an existing school project at Tadibalsa village in Kotia last week. Few personnel of Andhra Pradesh police reportedly interrupted the construction work claiming that the village comes under Andhra jurisdication.
(Edited by Suryakant Jena)