Border dispute in Gajapati: Opposition parties seek government’s intervention

Bhubaneswar, Sep 12: Opposition parties, BJP and Congress have sought government’s intervention regarding border dispute in Gajapati on Sunday. Discontented over Andhra’s rampage into Odisha at Kotia in Koraput and Manikapatna in Gajapati district, leaders of the BJP and Congress urged the government to oppose the illegal access of Andhra Pradesh into Odisha. BJP Vice-President Bhrugu Baxipatra said, Andhra Pradesh government has forcefully established an Anganwadi centre in Manikapatna village in Gajapati and conducted a number of development programmes here. Gajapati district administration sealed it immediately, which was later unsealed by the Andhra Pradesh Food Security officials. Even, Andhra Pradesh has deployed police force at Manikapatna to keep vigil on the situation along the border, Baxipatra alleged. Andhra Administration is challenging the district officials by issuing ration cards despite every restriction. At the same time, Additional District Magistrate, Gajapati has been humiliated by the Animal Resource  Development Minister, Andhra Pradesh, SAppala Raju on September 9. Senior Congress leader Suresh Kumar Routray said the Odisha government should protest the illegal access of Andhra Pradesh. The matter should be put forth before the Centre if Andhra Pradesh proceeds further. Similarly, senior leader and former Minister Damodar Rout blamed the government's inaction for Andhra’ marching towards Odisha. On the other hand, Berhampur MP, Chandra Sekhar Sahu said that Andhra Pradesh has acquired parts of Odisha in the past. However, the government will never allow doing so in the future.