Andhra-Odisha Border Conflict Resurfaces

Koraput: A fresh row erupted over the Odisha-Andhra Pradesh border delineation with residents of four villages on the neighbourhood state’s side imposing a road blockade at Sunabeda village under Potangi block in the district for the last four days.

As per reports, some local residents of Andhra Pradesh demolished an information board put up by the administrative officials in the bordering areas and blocked the road by placing stones over positioning of the signboard demarcating borders of Odisha and the neighbouring state.

Palpable tension gripped the area when Sarpanch of Sambai GP Piluka Guntha and former village head Trinath Pangi along with ward members of the area tried to clear the road obstruction, but they were allegedly thrashed by around 20-30 villagers of the neighbouring State.

Meanwhile, Koraput Collector Madhusudan Mishra said the issue will be resolved amicably by convening a meeting of district-level officials from both states.

“We have sought a detailed report from the sub-collector regarding the removal of the board by the Andhra villagers. After the report is submitted, we will seek consent from local Tehsil of the neighbouring State and carry out a joint exercise to resolve the issue cordially,” said Mishra.

According to sources, officials of the Andhra Pradesh government had recently entered Odisha’s territory and demarcated land before putting up an information board. Following the receipt of the information, the Koraput district administration had removed the board and placed it at its previous position.

However, the move did not go down well with the residents of nearby village under the jurisdiction of the neighbouring State.

(Edited by Suryakant Jena)