Andhra Pradesh all set to hold panchayat polls in three Odisha villages

Jeypore: The Odisha-Andhra Pradesh border dispute is going to be murkier as the neighbouring State is set to hold panchayat polls in three villages in Odisha.

The Andhra Pradesh government renamed three villages under Kotia panchayat in Koraput’s Pottangi block as its own and issued a notification to hold panchayat polls there. The neighbouring state projected the three villages under Salur block.

The neighbouring state renamed Tala Ganjei Padar, Phaguna Sineri and Phaatu Sineri villages and is planning to hold the polls on February 13 and 17. Nomination filing for the polls was today.

In November last year, the neighbouring State forcibly entered Sambai village under Pottangi block and installed a signboard claiming the area. Some villagers of Andhra Pradesh also staged a road blockade at Sunabeda village in the block after the neighbouring State was prevented from digging a pond in Odisha’s territory.