Odisha takes Andhra Pradesh to top court over local polls in disputed Kotia area

Court Case

The Odisha Government has moved the Supreme Court with a contempt petition against the Andhra Pradesh Government. The action comes after Andhra Pradesh issued a notification on October 10 to hold local body elections in the disputed Kotia region. Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said the petition was filed through the district collector of Koraput. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi gave the approval for this legal step. The petition names the Andhra Pradesh State Election Commissioner, Chief Secretary, district collector, and other election officials.

Past Disputes

All 28 villages under the Kotia Gram Panchayat lie inside Odisha territory. However, Andhra Pradesh claims rights over 21 of those villages. Odisha first challenged this dispute in the Supreme Court back in 1968. In 2006, the apex court ordered both States to keep the status quo. Odisha states that the recent election notification violates that 2006 order. A similar tense situation occurred in 2021 when Andhra Pradesh held local polls in the area, leading Odisha to file a contempt petition in 2022. The fresh notification targets villages including Phagunasineri, Ganjeipadar, and Phatusineri.

Context

Border disputes between neighboring Indian states often flare up over administrative control and local governance in remote border villages. Courts typically order status quo measures to keep peace while legal claims are resolved over many years.