Kotia Dispute / Andhra polling team withdraws from Kotia as Odisha administration tightens vigil

Koraput, Nov 4: The Andhra Pradesh administration on Wednesday withdrew its polling team from Nerediwalsa village in the disputed Kotia cluster of villages in Odisha's Koraput district after being denied entry by Odisha authorities, effectively preventing the conduct of Andhra Pradesh's local body elections within Odisha territory.

The development came amid heightened security measures and restrictions imposed by the Odisha administration following an all-party meeting on the long-pending inter-State boundary dispute.

Polling Team Turns Back

According to officials, Andhra Pradesh personnel, accompanied by security forces, had arrived in the Kotia region on Wednesday to make arrangements for the proposed Zilla Parishad elections scheduled for Thursday.

However, Odisha police personnel stationed along the border prevented the polling team from entering the village. Following the intervention, the Andhra Pradesh polling party returned from Nerediwalsa.

An Andhra Pradesh official reportedly said that permission had been sought from Odisha authorities only for the movement of the polling team, but the request was not granted.

The official added that polling would now be conducted at Sarika, located about one kilometre away from Nerediwalsa, and that voters could cast their ballots there voluntarily.

Restrictions in Force

The Odisha administration had earlier imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) across the Kotia gram panchayat following a meeting of political parties on Tuesday.

The restrictions cover 21 villages under Kotia panchayat in Pottangi tehsil and will remain in force from November 3 to November 7.

Under the order, gathering of more than five persons at public places has been prohibited. Restrictions have also been imposed on rallies, processions, protests, public meetings, distribution activities and wall paintings on government and public properties.

Security Measures

To maintain law and order, the district administration has deployed seven platoons of police personnel across the Kotia region. Barricades have been erected at several locations, while senior officials, including the Koraput Sub-Collector, are closely monitoring the situation from border checkpoints.
Also Read: Odisha tightens security in Kotia, enforces BNSS Section 163 for five days

The Odisha administration has warned of legal action against anyone found violating the restrictions during the five-day enforcement period.

The latest development is being viewed as a significant assertion of Odisha's administrative control in the Kotia region, which remains at the centre of a long-standing boundary dispute between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.