Kotia Row: Odisha Moves SC Seeking Contempt Of Court Proceedings Against AP

Bhubaneswar: Odisha government on Wednesday knocked the doors of Supreme Court seeking contempt of court proceedings against Andhra Pradesh government over the Kotia border dispute.

The State government's move comes in the wake of the announcement by Andhra Pradesh government for holding panchayat polls in disputed Kotia region of Koraput. The government has prayed before the court for speedy hearing in connection with the issue.

In the petition, the State government has mentioned that the Supreme Court in 1968 had ordered the maintenance of status quo in the disputed area. In its final hearing in 2006, the apex court had also upheld its earlier judgement.

It is worth mentioning that Kotia dispute is a long pending border issue between Andhra Pradhesh and Odisha. Both the States have been claiming sovereign rights over the area, which consist of 27 small tribal hamlets on the border.