Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam Restricts Kid’s Movement on Pedestrian Routes Following Leopard Attack Incident
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has taken significant steps to ensure the safety of pilgrims, particularly those with children under 15 years old, in the wake of a tragic incident involving a leopard that claimed the life of a six-year-old girl. Effective immediately, children in this age group will be permitted to traverse pedestrian paths exclusively between 5 a.m. and 2 p.m. Furthermore, a restriction will be imposed on two-wheelers, barring their access to Ghat roads from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.
These protective measures, which were enacted on Sunday, come in response to multiple leopard sightings across locations like Alipiri, Galigopuram, and the Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy (LNS) temple. A leopard was spotted on the Ghat road around 6:30 a.m. on Sunday, prompting swift action by forest officials to guide the animal back to its natural habitat.
To enhance the safety of children, Tirupati police constables stationed at the 7th-mile checkpoint between Alipiri and Tirumala will affix security identification tags to children’s hands. These non-digital, non-RFID tags will include parental contact details, ensuring quick communication in case of any unexpected events. Parents are strongly advised to closely supervise their children during their pilgrimage to prevent them from wandering off.
Emphasizing the nature of the identification tags, the TTD executive officer clarified that they employ a manual identification system, similar to the one utilized during the Srivari Brahmotsavams in Tirumala. The TTD authorities urge devotees to diligently adhere to the guidelines issued by the Board until the situation involving encounters with wild animals is successfully addressed.
In response to the tragic leopard attack, the Andhra Pradesh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has solicited comprehensive reports from the TTD, forest, police, and revenue departments. Their request for detailed information aims to shed light on the circumstances surrounding the animal attack that led to the unfortunate demise of the young girl. Additionally, they are seeking insights into recent instances of leopard encounters to better comprehend the situation.
