BHUBANESWAR: Union education minister
Dharmendra Pradhan on Wednesday wrote to Andhra Pradesh chief minister YS
Jagan Mohan Reddy suggesting bilateral discussion with
Odisha chief minister
Naveen Patnaik for an amicable solution to the Odisha-Andhra Pradesh faceoff over interstate boundary.
Assuring his support on behalf of the Union government for a conducive environment for bilateral talks and peaceful resolution of the dispute, the Union minister, who is from Odisha, also suggested joint working group level talks, either by chief secretaries or development commissioners of the two states.
Pointing out that the skirmishes which started in the 20-odd villages in
Kotia gram panchayat in Pottangi block of Koraput district had unfortunately spread to other border villages in
Gajapati district, Pradhan wrote, “Such disputes pose a threat to the security and development aspirations of villagers.”
Recently, Andhra Pradesh minister S Appalaraju had visited
Ganagabad panchayat in Rayagada block of Gajapati district and forcibly reopened an anganwadi centre, which was earlier closed by the district administration citing that it was in Odisha.
Last month, there was tension in Kotia panchayat when an MLA from Andhra Pradesh Rajan Dora had scheduled to hold several cultural and political events. Local leaders from the Odisha side and the district administration barricaded the border between Odisha’s Patusineri and AP’s Nandagram.
Pradhan sought to retreat armed forces in the disputed villages and also requested the Andhra CM to put on hold any new structural construction except for essential public utility facilities such as health, education and basic amenities.
Stating that the volatile situation arising out of the conflicts over state boundaries is unfortunate and uncalled for, Pradhan wrote, “They have the potential to derail the ongoing developmental activities. Situation like these would only fuel mistrust and prop up divisive forces to work against the socio-political and economic interests of both the states.”
Dharmendra said since settling boundary issues is time-consuming and requires the involvement of a mature political leadership at the highest level, “there is need for building an enabling environment to facilitate talks between the states in view of the flared up situation on the ground.”