Bhubaneswar : Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan today sought the personal intervention of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jaganmohan Reddy for an amicable solution of issues pertaining to the face-off between Andhra Pradesh and Odisha in bordering villages of Koraput and Gajapati.
In a letter to Mr Reddy, the Union Minister said ” in the interest of people of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha I seek your personal intervention for a conducive and mutually agreeable resolution of the matter.’’
Mr Pradhan said ” as an Odia it pains me to see the suffering of the people of Koraput and Gajapati and assured his support and availability in facilitating an amicable environment for bilateral talks and peaceful resolution of the dispute.”
The union minister said the skirmishes started in 20 odd villages in Kotia Gram Panchayat in Pottangi block of Koraput district but it has now spread to other border villages In Gajapati district.
He said the run-ins fuel interstate border dispute and is a matter of serious concern. It poses a threat to security and developmental aspirations of villages located in border villages in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.
The Union Minister said both Andhra Pradesh and Odisha share much common history, developmental challenges and welfare activities. Both states have joined hands to curb left wing extremism and ensured return of peace .
He said the present volatile situation arising out of interstate conflicts on delimitation of physical boundaries is unfortunate and uncalled for.
They have the potential to derail ongoing developmental initiatives and nullifying peace dividends accrued over the years.
Stating that Situation like this would fuel mistrust and prop up divisive forces to work against the soci0-political and economic interest of. Both the states, he said there is need for building an enabling environment to facilitate talks between the states in view of the flared up situation on ground.
He requested Mr Reddy to Consider retreat of armed police forces in the disputed villages and immediate withdrawal of cases registered against local. Representatives and government officials register with police in both the states and to put on hold the structural construction and earth moving activities except for essential public utility facilities of rural infrasructure, health, education and basic civic amenities.
Bilateral discussions between Chief Ministers be held to lay the parameters of future roadmap to address the issues and to organise joint working group level talks at the level of Chief Secretaries and. Development Commissioners of both the states to resolve the dispute.
