Pottangi: Andhra Pradesh is trying every trick in the book to gain hold over Kotia panchayat under Pottangi block of Koraput district and to undermine Odisha’s interest and stake in the area, a report said.
Among many such methods, the neighbouring state is meddling in each and every affair of the panchayat notwithstanding the framework it should adopt to maintain cordial relationship with Odisha as part of interstate relations.
In the latest incident, a team of Andhra police reached Kotia panchayat and tried to collect details of the candidates contesting for the Odisha panchayat polls in the panchayat, Monday.
The matter came to the fore when a team of Andhra police met Pottangi BDO Soumya Sarthak Mishra at his office and tried to collect details about the candidates but in vain.
Claiming that Kotia panchayat is under Salur police jurisdiction in AP, a police team led by SI Rohini Pathi of Vizianagaram police arrived in two jeeps at Pottangi block office.
They met the BDO in his office and sought details about the candidates contesting as sarpanch for the panchayat polls. They were left disappointed after Mishra politely refused to oblige.
Mishra said he does not have the details of all the candidates as he has handed over all the records to the district administration after completion of the nomination process.
The police team, after their unsuccessful bid, visited the Pottangi tehsildar in his office and tried to collect the details of the candidates again. However, here also they met the same fate and finally returned back to their place. This has sparked resentment in the area and a question mark on the actual intention of the Andhra police.
Meanwhile, in another development, the Andhra Pradesh government has launched efforts to provide quality healthcare services to the people of Kotia panchayat.
Its officials are identifying places where internet network is available and calling people to the area and uploading their data online.
The matter came to the light after Andhra officials were spotted uploading data of people in biometric process along the road connecting the Fagunsineri village in the panchayat.
When contacted, one of the officials said they are carrying out the drive on the instructions of Andhra Chief Minister to provide healthcare services to the residents.
The gullible people were found cooperating and assisting the Andhra officials in their work. They are meeting Andhra officials and providing them details of their family members and their thumb impression in biometric process.
PNN