Bhubaneswar, Jun 10: The Kotia border dispute has once again resurfaced, with Odisha leaders strongly criticizing Andhra Pradesh’s latest outreach in the contested villages in Koraput district.

Andhra Pradesh Women and Child Welfare Minister Gummadi Sandhyarani recently inaugurated a 1.90 crore BT road from Dandigam in Sarika Panchayat to Nerediobalasa and held a meeting in Kotia, urging locals to trust the Andhra government.

Sandhyarani alleged that Odisha was harassing tribal residents and assured protection against “unjust arrests.” She appealed to villagers not to fear and to rely on Andhra’s welfare initiatives. Odisha leaders, however, condemned the move as a deliberate attempt to lure Kotia residents and undermine Odisha’s sovereignty.

Odisha Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan reacted sharply, calling the Andhra Minister’s actions politically motivated. “Kotia’s people want to remain with Odisha. Some in Andhra are pursuing political objectives through such activities. The government will take strict decisions soon,” he said.

Congress leader and Pottangi MLA Ram Chandra Kadam emphasized that Kotia and Nerediobalasa have been integral parts of Odisha since 1936. He pointed out that Odisha has already provided schools, roads, and infrastructure in the region, urging the state government to intensify efforts to safeguard Kotia.
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BJD leader Pradeep Majhi echoed similar concerns, describing Andhra’s repeated attempts to entice Kotia residents as an “attack on Odisha’s sovereignty.” He stressed that the state must respond firmly to protect its territorial integrity.

The Kotia issue remains a sensitive flashpoint between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, with both states claiming jurisdiction. While Andhra continues to push welfare schemes and infrastructure projects in the region, Odisha leaders insist that the people of Kotia are committed to staying with Odisha, citing decades of cultural and administrative integration.