Odisha-Andhra Pradesh Border Region Placed Under Strict Surveillance Ahead of Elections

Jeypore : Ahead of the Andhra Pradesh panchayat elections scheduled for tomorrow (November 5), the disputed Kotia region along the Odisha-Andhra Pradesh border has been placed under strict surveillance by the Koraput district administration and police. As many as 15 platoons of police personnel have been deployed in the Kotia region to strengthen security and prevent any untoward incidents during the elections. According to reports, the Koraput administration has intensified monitoring in the disputed villages, particularly Neridibalsa, Phagun Sineri and Phatu Sineri, where special security arrangements have been made. The heightened security measures come following a tense confrontation between police and administrative officials of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh at Neridibalsa on Tuesday. Reportedly, tensions escalated after Andhra Pradesh Police allegedly attempted to dismantle barricades erected by the Odisha authorities in the disputed area. The incident led to a face-off between officials of the two neighbouring states, further intensifying the situation in the border region. Following the confrontation, Koraput Sub-Collector Fabi Rashid has been camping at Neridibalsa to personally monitor the situation and oversee security arrangements. The district administration and police are maintaining a close watch on developments in the sensitive border villages ahead of the scheduled elections. The Kotia region has remained a longstanding territorial dispute between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, with both states asserting administrative claims over certain villages. Further developments are awaited as the authorities continue to monitor the situation.