Odisha Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari announced that eight additional platoons of police personnel have been rushed to the disputed Kotia region in Koraput district to maintain law and order.
Reacting strongly to unilateral moves by neighbouring Andhra Pradesh to conduct local elections in the region, Pujari asserted that Andhra’s electoral attempts would be thwarted.
He stated that Odisha Police, administrative officials, and political leaders across party lines are maintaining a tight vigil on the ground.
The Revenue Minister accused Andhra Pradesh of violating Supreme Court directives and creating an administrative confrontation. He added that the Odisha government will draw the Union Government’s attention to the matter, urging central intervention to instruct Andhra Pradesh to engage in formal bilateral dialogue.
State authorities are also keeping a strict watch on other sensitive border locations.
