Clash erupts between two villages in Odisha’s Khordha over border dispute

Tension gripped the Ostapur and Kotapalla villages under the Baghamari police limits in Khordha district after fresh clashes broke out late last night over a long-standing border dispute. 

As of Tuesday morning, locals from both sides engaged in heavy stone pelting and vandalism, leading to several injuries and extensive property damage. Sources reported that a few shops were also set on fire during the violence.

Border Row Reignites After Lifting of Section 163

The fresh outbreak of violence comes just weeks after Section 163 of the BNSS, which had been imposed in the area for nearly three months, was lifted. The prohibitory order was earlier enforced to prevent hostilities following repeated disputes over village boundaries.

However, tensions resurfaced after a minor altercation last night, allegedly triggered by the naming of a local bus stand, which both villages claim jurisdiction over.

Eyewitnesses said that soon after the argument, groups from both sides began throwing stones, setting fire to roadside stalls and vehicles. Visuals from Wednesday morning showed burning tyres and scattered debris along the connecting road between the two villages.

Police and Administration Yet to Reach Spot

As per the latest reports, no police team or administrative official had reached the scene for several hours after the violence broke out, leading to fears of further escalation. 

Sources added that the absence of law enforcement allowed mobs to vandalise shops belonging to the rival village. The exact number of injured persons remains unconfirmed.

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Long-Standing Dispute

It is worth noting that the Ostapur–Kotapalla border dispute has been simmering for over seven years, often erupting into clashes over land demarcation, resource access, and local identity issues.

Earlier in August, police had conducted a flag march in the area after a similar confrontation left at least 10 shops damaged and two people injured. Following that incident, district officials, including the Tehsildar, Sub-Collector, and SDPO, held peace meetings with residents from both sides to ease tensions.

Despite repeated interventions, the disagreement over the boundary line and local administrative control has persisted.

No official statement has yet been issued by the Khordha police or the district administration regarding the latest incident so far.