High-Capacity Scanners And More: Tirupati Temple's Advanced New Security Plan
TTD held a high-level meeting with infrastructure giant L&T on Friday. The discussions, led by TTD Executive Officer J Syamala Rao and Additional Executive Officer Ch Venkaiah Chowdary, focused on a comprehensive revamp of the security apparatus, with a particular emphasis on the critical Alipiri Checkpoint.
L&T's team of experts gave a detailed presentation outlining state-of-the-art security facilities. The proposed upgrades for the Alipiri Checkpoint include the installation of high-capacity scanners for quicker and more efficient checks, advanced parking management systems, sophisticated traffic control mechanisms, and an integrated surveillance network. The plan also encompasses a common alarm management system, traffic enforcement technologies, including "No Helmet Detection," and a robust command and control system.
TTD Executive Officer Rao insisted on a forward-looking approach. "Plans should be prepared to cater to the needs, keeping in view the next four decades of Tirumala," he said.
Mr Rao urged the L&T representatives to present a comprehensive long-term and short-term plan for traffic checking and regulation, highlighting the need for sustained and adaptable security solutions.
The meeting comes amidst longstanding and evolving security concerns surrounding Tirumala. As one of the world's most visited pilgrimage sites, drawing between 50,000 to over a lakh pilgrims daily, the sheer volume of visitors presents inherent challenges for security management.
The visits by numerous VIPs and VVIPs further escalates the security threat perception, requiring stringent protocols to ensure their safety without unduly inconveniencing the common devotee.
A stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by the region was the infamous Maoist attack on then-Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu at Alipiri in October 2003. Mr Naidu miraculously survived a powerful claymore mine blast, an incident that underscored the need for impenetrable security measures at this crucial entry point to the holy hills. Since then, while security has been consistently reviewed and enhanced, the TTD is now looking to future-proof its systems.
The overhaul of security at Alipiri is expected to significantly enhance the safety of pilgrims and VIPs alike, streamlining entry processes while fortifying the gateway to one of India's most revered shrines against potential threats.
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Indian Express
6 hours ago
- Indian Express
Open to making amendments if the law is misused: Minister Yogesh Kadam on the Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill
The Maharashtra Special Public Security (MSPS) Bill, which seeks 'to provide for effective prevention of certain unlawful activities of left wing extremist organisations', was recently passed by both the Maharashtra Assembly and the Legislative Council through a voice vote. The Bill has drawn sharp criticism from the Opposition over 'vague definitions' and 'potential misuse'. In an interview with The Indian Express, Yogesh Kadam, Minister of State (MoS) for Home, who tabled the Bill in the Legislative Council, defended its provisions and addressed concerns around its implementation. Excerpts from the interview: Q. The Opposition alleges this law is aimed at stifling protest and dissent. How do you respond? Yogesh Kadam: That is not the intention at all. The Bill clearly targets frontal organisations linked to Maoist groups. The concern raised is – 'what if a labour union protests and something unlawful happens? Will they be prosecuted under this Act?' The answer is no. A protester raising a voice for a cause will not be affected. The Bill defines 'unlawful activity' specifically – it refers to actions carried out by or in support of Maoist-linked organisations by anyone who is actively involved or directly supports them. Q. But the Opposition argues that terms like 'illegal activity', 'left wing', 'extremism', or 'support' are vague and can be misused. Kadam: Maoists have evolved. Their presence is no longer confined to jungles. Urban Naxals work under various covers – students, teachers, farmers, NGO workers. Their methods are deceptive and difficult to pin down. That's why the definitions in the Bill reflect this broad and changing modus operandi. These terms haven't been randomly inserted – they are based on past patterns and intelligence inputs. Urban Naxals operate covertly. We have seen this with Delhi University's former professor G N Saibaba, and others like Basava Raju, a labour leader later found with Maoists in the forest. Their first tool is agitation – creating unrest to destabilise elected governments. But not all agitations are to suspected. For example, if Konkan farmers protest against a mining project, that's their right. What matters is intent. This Act is about intent. If someone is protesting for their livelihood or rights, that's their constitutional right. But if an organisation uses that protest as a cover for Maoist activity, this law will come into play. Q: The state government has said 64 urban Naxal-linked organisations are active in Maharashtra. Are they identified already? Kadam: Yes, they have been identified, and once the Act is notified and enforced, action will be initiated as per the provisions. Q: The government claims that the MSPS Bill will be used only against organisations, but the legislation has provisions to prosecute individuals; isn't this a contradiction? Kadam: If someone is directly supporting a banned Maoist-linked group – say by funding it or helping its operations, or is a member of the organisation, then that individual can be prosecuted. But only when clear, proven links are established. The focus remains on direct involvement… Remember, organisations are made up of individuals. If someone is knowingly aiding a banned Maoist group, the law will apply. But that involvement must be proven with evidence. Q: How will the government distinguish between a genuine protest and one with Maoist involvement? Kadam: This Bill will not be invoked if there is just a protest. It comes into effect only if there is a link to an organisation identified as Maoist-aligned. If a protest involves such links, we will act – but with due process. The three-member advisory board – comprising a retired district judge, a serving or retired high court judge, and a public prosecutor – will examine all evidence before any organisation is banned or any individual prosecuted. The board will scrutinise the evidence, verify the organisation's link to Maoist activity, and only then can a ban or prosecution proceed. Evidence is key. Q: But the Bill allows non-bailable offences and arrest without warrant. Isn't that a recipe for misuse? What safeguards are in place to prevent misuse by the police? Kadam: The police can't arbitrarily act under this law. The authority to ban an organisation lies with the three-member advisory board. No organisation or individual can be targeted without evidence, and that evidence will have to stand in court. There is absolutely no scope for arbitrary arrest. The provisions come into force only after an organisation is officially banned. 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If the board is not convinced, the ban won't go through. That's our safeguard against arbitrary action. It's a transparent process. Q: The Opposition has demanded that the Opposition leader be added to this board for checks and balances. Why not? Kadam: There are no politicians on the board – neither from the ruling side nor the Opposition. It consists only of legal professionals – judges and lawyers – to ensure neutrality. In fact, other states that have similar Acts – like Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Telangana – don't even have such a board. They ban organisations outright. Q. Why does the Bill only cover left-wing extremism? Aren't right-wing extremist organisations also active in Maharashtra? Kadam: Left-wing extremism refers specifically to Maoist and Naxal movements that openly reject the Indian Constitution and operate with their own parallel ideology and constitution. This term was coined by the United Progressive Alliance government in 2007. 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The Hindu
7 hours ago
- The Hindu
J&K L-G scheme for militancy-affected families: What about those whose kin were killed by security forces? ask Farooquis
As Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday (July 13, 2025) promised justice and jobs to the militancy-affected families of J&K, the victim families of security forces raised questions over the fairness of the L-G's new initiative. 'L-G Sinha's announcement of government jobs for families of terrorism victims is hailed as a healing measure. But what about the father of two murdered sons? The fresh initiative has reignited anguish among this family whose loved ones were murdered by security forces with First Information Reports (FIRs) gathering dust for decades,' Tajamul Farooqi, whose two cousins Tajudin and Imtiyaz Farooqi were shot dead in 1992 in Srinagar's Lal Bazaar, told The Hindu. Addressing a function in north Kashmir's Baramulla on Sunday (July 13, 2025), the L-G promised to re-open all cases of militancy victims and ensure justice and rehabilitation to such families. The L-G administration has set up special cells in all districts to re-register their cases to get jobs under SRO-43, which aims at a compassionate approach towards the violence-affected families by providing financial relief and support to the bereaved families that lost their primary breadwinner. 'The initiative of the L-G administration explicitly covers only the families affected by militant violence. But what about the hundreds of the cases documented in police FIRs like the Farooqis where the security forces were involved. These cases remain in legal limbo with no comparable rehabilitation or accountability,' Mr. Farooqi said. Recalling the incident of 1992, Mr. Farooqi said his two cousins were subjected to cold-blooded murder by the 30th Battalion of the Border Security Force in 1992 at Umar Colony, Lalbazar. 'Tajudin Farooqi was pursuing engineering from Bangalore and was aged 19. His younger brother Imtiyaz Farooqi, 13, was a student of the Greenland Primary School, Nigeen Hazratbal,' he said. 'The duo was shot dead by security personnel in their own house after militants ambushed a BSF patrol nearby. A group of about six to seven BSF men entered the lane leading to the Farooqis house. An FIR No. 94/162 was registered at Lalbazar Police Station under Section 302,307,427 of the Indian Penal Code,' Mr. Farooqui said. 'Imtiyaz was killed instantaneously when he opened the door and Tajudin was dragged outside from his house to the lane and shot in the chest despite sisters' pleas,'he recalled. He said the father-in-law of the slain Farooqui had a fatal cardiac arrest as he visited the place to see his daughter's two dead kids lying in a pool of blood. 'Our family approached the National Human Rights Commission soon after receiving threats not to follow the case at various levels. In September 1997, my uncle was summoned by a military court at Qazigund in south Kashmir but received the summon only after the trial date was over,' he said. I appeal to the L-G to re-look at the 'asymmetry policy'. 'What about my cousins who were students who were murdered? The killers still walk free. Why this double standard? No witnesses, including the surviving family, were ever examined. No compensation or job can ever fill the void of such gruesome killing of this magnitude,' Mr. Farooqui said. Hundreds of civilians died after a mass militancy broke out in the 1990s in Kashmir. There are allegations against both militants and security forces of excesses and murders.
NDTV
8 hours ago
- NDTV
J&K Governor Hands Job Orders To Terrorism Victims In Baramulla
Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha said on Sunday that although the Constitution of the country guarantees freedom of expression, it does not mean those glorifying terrorism through speeches and statements can go scot-free. Addressing a gathering at Baramulla town where he handed over government job orders to victims of terrorism, L-G Sinha said, "Although the Constitution of the country guarantees freedom of expression, it does not mean that those glorifying terrorism through their speeches and statements can go scot free. Handed over appointment letters to NoKs of terror victims in Baramulla. Sharing my speech. — Office of LG J&K (@OfficeOfLGJandK) July 13, 2025 "If somebody tries to glorify terrorism for political prospects, he/she will have to pay for it. Let me tell those people that enough is enough. Kashmir has seen too much bloodshed, and now is the time to wipe tears from the eyes of those whose pain was not even heard under the threat of terrorism." "After the April 22 cowardly attack in Pahalgam, the spontaneous widespread condemnation of that heinous act by Kashmiris has left no doubt in my mind that the people have given up supporting terrorism and they are looking forward to progress, education, peace and a better tomorrow," he said. Justice at last! Handed over appointment letters to NoKs of terror victims. These families, forsaken and forgotten, suffered silently for decades. Stories of their loved ones, brutally killed by Pakistan-backed terrorists are being brought to forefront. — Office of LG J&K (@OfficeOfLGJandK) July 13, 2025 He said as many as 193 terror victim grievances have come to light in recent days, many linked to the 1990s. He cited Justice Ganjoo's assassination and the Wandhama Ganderbal massacre. "In 61 cases, no FIR filed, land and compensation denied," he revealed. He later posted on X, "The Truth about these families was deliberately suppressed. No one came to wipe their tears. Everyone knew Pakistan-backed terrorists were involved in brutal killings, but no one provided justice to thousands of elderly parents, wives, brothers or sisters. I'm committed to ensuring that these families receive the justice, jobs, recognition and support they deserve after years of suffering. It is a historic step to finally recognise and honour the thousands of innocent civilians in J&K." "The administration will now reach the doorsteps of all the families who have been waiting for justice for decades, and jobs, arrangements for their rehabilitation and livelihood will be ensured. "Helplines have been set up in districts to register grievances of terror victims. We are receiving hundreds of complaints from the 90s also. In many cases, FIRs were not registered, lands were encroached and properties demolished. I assure the people that the culprits will not be spared. This is not just an administrative initiative; it is a moral responsibility," he told the families of victims. The office of the L-G said on X, "Justice at last! Handed over appointment letters to the NoKs of terror victims. These families, forsaken and forgotten, suffered silently for decades. Stories of their loved ones, brutally killed by Pakistan-backed terrorists, are being brought to the forefront." Emotional scenes showing mothers giving the blessing kiss on L-G's forehead and daughters kneeling with respect and surcharged emotions marked the occasion as Manoj Sinha held their hand with paternal affection. Breaking protocol to respond to the sentiments of the victims of terrorism, whose voices were not even allowed to he raised or heard by the terrorists, L-G Sinha joined the crowd of the victims, bowed before mothers and in fatherly affection patted the heads of the daughters of terror victims. At the end of his address, the L-G said that those alive among the families of the terror victims will be given government jobs, while those killed by terrorists will get justice. He read out a couplet at the end of his speech in which he said, "There are some who will try to instil fear in your mind/You are alive this moment and this moment is alive because of you/ Bad times will pass/ You live your life steadfast/ Whatever happens will be seen."
