Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Police today thwarted an attempt by a team of health officials from neighbouring Andhra Pradesh to visit Kotia group of villages under Pottangi block in Koraput district amid the ongoing territorial dispute between the two states.

A group of health officials from Andhra accompanied by an ambulance was on its way to visit Kotia panchayat, sources said.

The personnel of Kotia police station, set up by Odisha government, confronted the Andhra health team in the midway.

The health team was forced to go back from Kotia due to the timely intervention by the Odisha police personnel, sources added.

Notably, a team from Odisha comprising Koraput Zilla Parishad Chairperson Sasmita Meleka, ZP member Laichhan Khara and officials of Pottangi block had foiled an attempt of Andhra officials to enter Kotia on July 27.

The Andhra officials were supposed to visit Phatu Sineri village of Kotia panchayat.

Odisha and Andhra Pradesh have been engaged in a tussle over the ownership of Kotia group of villages since 1960s.