Rajendra Prasad Mohapatra

The border standoff between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh has once again escalated in Koraput district. 

The tension over claiming of a forest land at Sunabeda village under Pottangi block of the district continues to simmer between the two neighbouring state over the past few days. 

The development prompted Koraput Sub-Collector Archana Dash to make a ground zero assessment of the situation on Friday. Along with the Sub-Collector, Pottangi Zone-2 Zilla Parishad, Sambai Sarpanch and Pottangi Tehsil officials also visited the spot under tight security.

The officials interacted with the local residents to know about their grievances. Security personnel have been deployed to maintain law and order situation in the area.

“The situation is normal now. We have kept a strict vigil on the situation to keep any untoward incidents at bay,” said an official.

As per reports, tension flared up in the area a few days ago when some villagers from Dekapa village under Dimiriguda block in Andhra Pradesh barged into Sunabeda village and tried to encroach the patch of forest land.

The locals of Sunabeda came under the assault of the Dekapa villagers when they raised their voice against the unauthorized entry. One person from Sunabeda village was seriously injured in the attack. 

Subsequently, the villagers from Odisha filed a complaint against the assaulters from the neighboring State at Pottangi police station.
 

(Edited by Suryakant Jena)

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