Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik Calls on Majhi to Seek Central Intervention in Kotia Border Dispute

The long‑standing Kotia border dispute, involving a stretch of land claimed by Odisha and a neighboring state, has resurfaced with renewed tension. Local authorities in the contested area have reported increased administrative friction, prompting state officials to seek a definitive resolution.

In a public statement, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik appealed to senior political figure Majhi, urging him to take the matter to the Centre. Patnaik emphasized that protecting the state's territorial integrity requires prompt central intervention, warning that any delay could exacerbate communal and administrative strains.

Patnaik’s call comes after earlier diplomatic overtures between the two states failed to produce a mutually acceptable settlement. He suggested that a central‑government mediated dialogue could provide a neutral platform to address historical claims and demarcate the boundary clearly.

The CM also reassured residents of the Kotia region that the state government remains committed to safeguarding their rights and ensuring uninterrupted development projects, while awaiting a decisive response from the Union ministries.