VISAKHAPATNAM: Sarpanches and representatives of Ganjayi Bhadra, Pagulu Chinneru and Pattu Chinneru gram panchayats in the
Kotia
group of villages along the
Andhra-Odisha border
(AOB) have sought the
Andhra Pradesh government’s assistance to be officially associated with the state instead of
Odisha.
Assembly Election Results
Dispute over jurisdiction of villages in the Kotia region flared up after AP held gram panchayat elections earlier this year. The state also conducted
MPTC
and
ZPTC
elections in the region in 2021. The sarpanches and other local leaders met
Vizianagaram
district collector A Surya Kumari on Monday, seeking her intervention to protect them from “threats” posed by officials and police from Odisha.
In a letter, they alleged that
Odisha police
and officials have restricted the entry of Vizianagaram district officials and Parvathipuram ITDA officials into their panchayats, thus preventing them from access to government services. The representatives of the panchayats also alleged that Odisha police have prevented medical and health staff from visiting their villages, thus hindering the delivery of medical care in the region.
The district collector welcomed the representatives and assured them of all help from the state government.
Responding to the appeal, Salur MLA P Rajanna Dora directed Vizianagaram district officials to swing into action to protect the tribals of the Kotia region.
The territorial dispute intensified after the panchayat elections this year.
The sarpanches and other local leaders of the villages met Vizianagaram district collector A Surya Kumari on Monday, seeking her intervention to protect them from “threats” posed by officials and police from Odisha