Odisha officials have reportedly stopped Andhra Pradesh staff from collecting Census-2027 data in the disputed Kotia group of villages on the Andhra Pradesh-Odisha border. The staff were reportedly stopped from collecting data from people in the 28 revenue villages of the Kotia cluster.
The Odisha police have reportedly filed cases against the people who cooperated with the Andhra Pradesh census staff. The Andhra Pradesh employees are able to move in Telugu-speaking villages but unable to collect data from Odisha-dominated villages, although these come under the jurisdiction of Andhra Pradesh . Solar panels set up by the Andhra Pradesh government were also reportedly removed recently. This has sparked a fresh row.
According to sources, Andhra Pradesh police are unable to protect people from the alleged high-handedness of the Odisha administration, as they do not have a police station within Kotia limits. Odisha has set up full infrastructure and a police station in the Kotia villages. Recently, Odisha Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari and Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan met in Kotia and reviewed the development activities.
Minister for Tribal Welfare Gummadi Sandhya Rani, who represents the Saluru constituency, requested Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu to take necessary steps to protect the people of the Kotia cluster. She deplored the attacks on census staff and other officials who wanted to implement welfare and development activities in those villages.
Lok Satta Party State president Bhisetti Babji on Thursday (May 28, 2026) asked the Union government to settle the dispute permanently, as both Odisha and Andhra Pradesh are ruled by NDA parties. He said the prolonged dispute might lead to further tension and disrupt relations between the two States.
Published - May 28, 2026 01:08 pm IST
Source: The Hindu - India News
