Odisha Revenue and Disaster Management (R&DM) Minister Suresh Pujari on Wednesday, 21 October 2026, vowed that the state government would pursue all necessary legal and administrative steps to achieve a swift, permanent resolution to the long-running border dispute over Kotia gram panchayat in Koraput district. The fresh assurance follows renewed tensions after Andhra Pradesh moved to hold panchayat elections in some villages of the contested area.

What Triggered the Latest Flare-Up

The immediate trigger was Andhra Pradesh's reported attempt to conduct local body polls in certain villages of the disputed Kotia panchayat, located in Pottangi block of Koraput district. This mirrors a similar move in February 2021, when Andhra Pradesh held panchayat elections in the contested villages — a step that prompted Odisha to file a contempt petition before the Supreme Court. That petition, along with other related cases, remains pending before the court.

As soon as Minister Pujari learnt of the latest development, he directed the district administration to monitor the situation closely and maintain order.

Virtual Review and Legal Consultation

On Wednesday, Pujari chaired a detailed review through a virtual meeting with senior officials. During the session, he held discussions with Odisha Advocate General Pitambar Acharya, seeking advice on appropriate legal measures to safeguard the state's interests.

Following the consultation, the Additional Chief Secretary of the R&DM department and the Koraput Collector were directed to furnish all required documents to the Advocate General and extend full assistance. Pujari also stressed the need to expedite legal steps and reinforce Odisha's administrative presence in the border areas.

What the Minister Said

'Maintaining peace, stability, and public trust in the Kotia region, alongside protecting the state's legal rights and interests, is the state government's priority. The state government is working with commitment to take all necessary and appropriate steps for a speedy and permanent resolution to this long-standing dispute,' Pujari said.

He added that the dispute over villages in the Kotia region has been the subject of bilateral negotiations and legal proceedings between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh for several years.

A Decade of Legal Setbacks

Pujari also targeted the previous Biju Janata Dal (BJD) government over what he described as delayed action. 'After the interstate boundary dispute case filed by the then Odisha government was dismissed by the Supreme Court in 2006, the review petition and curative petition filed subsequently were also dismissed. However, instead of taking immediate steps, the then government filed another case in 2022, after a gap of 16 years. The case is currently pending before the court,' he said.

Critics argue that the protracted legal timeline — spanning two decades and multiple petition dismissals — has left Kotia residents in sustained administrative uncertainty. Notably, this is not the first time an Odisha government has pledged accelerated action on Kotia, only to see litigation drag on.

On-Ground Situation and What Comes Next

Despite the legal impasse, the state government says it continues to deliver essential services and welfare projects in Kotia. A ministerial committee regularly reviews regional development under the directions of the Chief Minister.

Pujari called for close coordination between key departments, legal experts, and district officials — drawing on historical records, census data, and administrative documentation — to build a cohesive position before the courts. The Advocate General has been formally entrusted with the next round of legal filings, and the pace of those submissions will be closely watched as the Supreme Court cases inch forward.