No Compromise on Safety of Devotees - TTD Chairman

TTD Trust Board Chairman Sri Bhumana Karunakara Reddy said on Saturday evening that there is no compromise in safeguarding the devotees coming to Tirumala for Srivari Darshan.

The Chairman reviewed the situation that led to leopard attack on the six-year old Lakshita and also visited the spot where her body was found. The forest and TTD vigilance officials explained how the wild cat attacked and dragged the girl's body in the forest.

Speaking to media persons later the TTD Chairman said the TTD had already initiated several safety measures in the backdrop of similar incident in June  22nd last.

He said TTD would not hesitate to undertake any expenses if the Forest, police and TTD officials come up additional safety proposals including technical steps and is committed to assure devotees that there is no recurrence of similar incidents in future.

He said in view of wildlife protection initiatives, the number of wild animals are also in the increase and the TTD focus is to safeguard the lives of pilgrims on footpaths.

TTD Chairman said on information of the missing girl child, a joint search operation was launched by the TTD forest, vigilance, police and government forest wings in the Seshachala forests giving  no room for laxity.

EX-GRATIA

He also assured the family of Lakshita that TTD would extend all support and announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 10lakhs of which Rs. 5lakhs by TTD and another Rs.5lakhs by Forest department to the bereaved family.

He also appealed to parents to take all cautions to keep children in their sight while  trekking on footpaths.

TTD Deputy CFO Sri Srinivas ,VGO Sri Giridhar , DFO Sri Satish ,CI Sri Jaganmohan Reddy and others were also present.