Andhra Pradesh ‘intrudes’ into Odisha again, holds tribal fair in Kotia on Birsa Munda Jayanti

Fresh tension has surfaced along the Odisha–Andhra Pradesh border after Andhra officials reportedly entered Nereduvalasa village under Kotia panchayat in Koraput district to conduct a tribal fair. The event was held on Tuesday inside Odisha's claimed territory and coincided with the weekly market day of the village.

According to reports, the fair was organised by the Girijan Cooperative Corporation (GCC) of Parvathipuram Manyam district, under the direction of the ITDA Project Officer at Salur in Andhra Pradesh.

Officials from the Andhra administration reportedly arrived in the area and set up stalls as part of the ‘Adivasi Mela’ organised to commemorate the birth anniversary of tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda.

Andhra Promoted State Goods

Sources reported that during the fair, stalls representing different tribal cooperative societies from Andhra were set up, selling and displaying products sourced from various districts of that state.

Locals were reportedly encouraged to buy Andhra-made items promoted as ‘quality products.’ The GCC, operating under the Andhra Tribal Welfare Department, coordinated the fair and managed the logistics, including the transportation of goods and setup of stalls within the Nereduvalasa market premises.

The fair drew attention from residents of the Bhatasahi panchayat area, with several locals confirming that Andhra officials were seen distributing pamphlets and engaging with villagers during the event. The activity was carried out under the banner of promoting tribal welfare and self-help products, though it took place well inside the Odisha-administered border zone.

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Local Administration Yet To Respond

The event was held without any reported coordination with Odisha’s local authorities. Sources said neither the Pottangi block administration nor the Koraput district officials issued any statement or took formal note of Andhra’s presence in the region. Police from nearby areas were informed of the gathering, but no confrontation was reported.

Notably, Nereduvalasa, one of the villages under the disputed Kotia panchayat, has long been a flashpoint in the interstate boundary issue involving Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. The panchayat, comprising 21 villages, is administered by Odisha but is also claimed by Andhra, which has been conducting periodic welfare drives, public events, and administrative outreach programmes in the area.

As of Wednesday, no official comment had been received from Odisha’s side on whether a protest or report had been lodged against the Andhra event.