In the wake of border conflicts, the AP government has strengthened security in key areas of the state. Thorough searches are being carried out at important areas and temples. The state government and TTD have taken proactive measures to prevent any untoward incidents in the ever-crowded Tirumala.
After the Pahalgam attacks, security forces, police and vigilance jointly conducted mock drills. Special attention has been paid to the security of Tirumala as a warlike atmosphere prevails on the country’s borders. Security forces are continuously patrolling the Tirumala hills. Police, vigilance and security forces jointly conducted an area domination program.
Tirumala DSP Vijaya Shekhar said that surprise checks were conducted as per the instructions of central intelligence agencies. Since Tirumala is on the list of important sensitive areas of the country, area domination patrols were conducted in Tirumala as per the orders of DGP Harish Gupta. He said that 138 people are conducting inspections in four teams including Octopus forces, vigilance and police. Each team includes police, bomb squad, dog squad, police, TTD vigilance and Octopus forces.
Suspicious objects and bags are being searched and details of the suspects are being collected. Security has also been tightened in the vicinity of Gannavaram Airport. Vehicles have been stopped at the airport’s main entrance and only passengers and staff are being allowed inside. If the situation continues like this, CISF and CRPF forces may arrive from Sunday night, airport officials said.
Security has also been increased in Visakhapatnam, which is already in the high security zone. It seems that security has also been increased at Gangavaram Port. The aircraft carrier ‘INS Vikrant’, which is patrolling the east coast, has been deployed to the west coast.
Security and inspections have been intensified at the terminals of HPCL, IOC and BPCL. Security has been tightened at HPCL Petropark, White Oil, Black Oil, LPG terminals, IOC, BPC terminals, railway fuel transport tanks and oil storage tanks. On the other hand, security has also been increased at CM Chandrababu Naidu’s residence in Naravaripalle in Tirupati district.
Assistant Commandant PND Prasad and his staff from the 11th Battalion, which is at the CM’s residence in Vijayawada, reached Naravaripalle on Friday night. Chandragiri CI was given instructions on security in Naravaripalle. NTR District Police has tightened night patrolling to provide security and reassurance to the people.
Extensive checks have been carried out in lodges, hotels and suspicious places in the city. Night patrols have been conducted to keep a close watch on suspicious persons and illegal trafficking. DCP Saritha said that steps have been taken to ensure that anti-social activities and undesirable incidents do not occur and that the police are always available to the public.