Koraput: Braving incessant rain triggered by cyclone Arnab and slippery roads in the hilly terrain, Odisha police personnel have continued to maintain round-the-clock vigil at three strategic locations in the disputed Kotia panchayat of Koraput district since Tuesday, amid increased movement of Andhra Pradesh officials ahead of the neighbouring state’s Nov 3 rural polls.Despite adverse weather conditions, police personnel remained deployed at Neradivalasa, Harmadingi Chhack near Phatusenari and Tolo Sembi to monitor vehicular movement from Andhra Pradesh and prevent election-related activities in the disputed villages.According to the district rainfall report, Pottangi block, under which Kotia falls, recorded the highest rainfall of 188 mm in the 24 hours ending at 8 am on Wednesday, against the district average of 61.02 mm. The downpour has made conditions particularly challenging for police personnel stationed in the remote, hilly border region.SP (Koraput) Rohit Verma said the deployment would continue despite the inclement weather, with police maintaining heightened surveillance in view of the forthcoming elections in Andhra Pradesh.“The incessant rain has made conditions difficult for our personnel, particularly as roads in the hilly terrain have become slippery. However, surveillance is on at all three locations. While four personnel remain on duty at each post during the night, around 10 to 12 personnel are deployed during the day,” the SP said.According to the SDPO (Sunabeda) Sumitra Jena, heavy rain had disrupted cooking arrangements at the temporary police posts. To overcome the problem, food is being prepared at Kotia police station and supplied to personnel stationed at the three posts.“The temporary tent at Harmadingi Chhack was damaged due to the incessant rain, following which the personnel stationed there were shifted to a nearby shelter. Efforts are underway to restore the tent at the earliest,” the SDPO said.At least two platoons of police personnel have been deployed in the region to keep a close watch on movement from Andhra Pradesh. Vehicles entering Kotia are being checked, while records of their movement are being maintained.The heightened security follows increased activity by Andhra Pradesh officials in the disputed villages. On Monday, a police team led by a DSP-rank officer from the neighbouring state reportedly visited several villages and interacted with residents, allegedly to mobilise voters for the Nov 3 polls.Of the 28 villages under Kotia panchayat, 21 have remained at the centre of a decades-old territorial dispute between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, with both states claiming administrative jurisdiction over them. The dispute has been pending before Supreme Court since 1968.Despite strong objections from Odisha, Andhra Pradesh conducted panchayat elections in the disputed villages in Feb 2021, triggering a fresh confrontation between the two states. Odisha govt has approached Supreme Court opposing Andhra Pradesh’s election exercise in the disputed territory.
