In a bid to stamp Andhra Pradesh’s authority in the disputed Kotia region in Odisha’s Koraput district, the Superintendent of Police (SP) of bordering Manyam district in AP visited the area with his team.
The team from Andhra Pradesh included CIs of Kotia and Salur.
As per reports, the team led by SP Vikrant Patil came to Kotia Panchayat and visited Neridivalsa, Madakar, Uparasembi and a few other villages. He held discussions with the local youths.
It is pertinent to mention here that Andhra Police had recently organised a mega Jansampark Abhiyan (public relations camp) at Neridivalsa.
As per reports, umbrellas, ration cards, volleyball kits were distributed among the people of the region in the camp. Moreover, medicines were also distributed following health checkups of more than 300 persons. The programme was conducted under the supervision of Salur police.
Though Andhra officials conducted the programme and organised volleyball matches for the whole day, no officials from Odisha were reportedly present there.
As per sources, Andhra Pradesh government is trying to woo the people of Kotia with development schemes in view of the upcoming General Elections. Meanwhile, the lack of resistance on the part of the Koraput administration has reportedly made it easier for the neighbouring state to repeatedly intrude into the region.
Notably, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh have been locked in a bitter battle over territorial control of 21 of the 28 revenue villages in Kotia Gram Panchayat.