TNI Bureau: Leaders of the Andhra Pradesh-based Jana Sena Party (JSP) allegedly entered an Odisha border village under Kotia gram panchayat in Koraput district and claimed that 12 villages currently under Odisha’s jurisdiction belong to Andhra Pradesh, triggering fresh concerns over border security and administrative oversight.

The incident reportedly took place on Tuesday at Upper Sembi village in Pottangi block, where JSP representatives held a meeting with villagers and local leaders. During the meeting, they asserted that the disputed villages had historically been part of Andhra Pradesh and said they would take up the matter with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.

The development has raised questions about the role of the local administration, especially as the long-standing Odisha–Andhra border dispute involving Kotia gram panchayat is currently pending before the High Court.

Sources said the JSP representatives addressed residents in Telugu and claimed that the 12 villages had remained under Odisha’s control “for the past 60 years” despite allegedly belonging to Andhra Pradesh.

Kotia sarpanch Liu Gemel criticised the administration, alleging that there was little visible effort to prevent the entry of Andhra political workers into Odisha territory.

Pottangi tehsildar Debendra Bahadur Singh Dharua confirmed that he was aware of the Jana Sena delegation’s visit and the meeting held in the village.