Southern States - Andhra Pradesh-Hyderabad   

Probe panel chief asks TTD to explain

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD NOV. 27. Prakash Singh, Chairman of the Commission of Inquiry, constituted to probe into the October 1 blast at Tirupati in which the Chief Minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu, was injured, has differed with TTD officials on `no fly zone.' "My mind refuses to accept that Gods and goddesses fly. By your own admission, it is so and when they can fly, why cannot a human being fly in to Tirumala? said Mr. Prakash while hearing the deposition of the TTD executive officer, Ajeya Kallam, before him on Tuesday.

In course of his deposition, Mr. Kallam recalled how the much-talked-about ropeway project had been put on hold even though the State Government was keen on the project. He said that as an autonomous and religious body, the TTD now appeared keen because Tirumala had been declared a `no fly zone.' In response, Mr. Prakash Singh asked if the TTD could provide more information about the ban on flying, said to be in the `Shastras.' "The Commission will get `Mahapundits' to check and get back on this," he added. The Executive Officer told the Commission how quickly they had provided screening equipment on an indent from the Chief Vigilance and Security Officer, following a report by Dr. Subramayam, referring to the deep search metal detector and the explosive vapour detector.

When asked by the local police, he said the TTD had bought sniffer dogs and put together a Dog Squad. "Though the TTD is paying heavily for certain facilities provided by the police, like three Armed Reserve Platoons and a dog squad, I regret to point out that the platoons in full strength are not dedicated to the service of the TTD," he said.

On the functions of the Vigilance and Security Wing, he said it included screening at all entry points, including Alipiri tollgate, to ensure that no one carried contraband like meat, cigarettes and alcohol. On the recommendations of the report, the Vigilance and Security Wing was also asked to screen people and vehicles for dangerous material, especially in view of possible threats from the ISI, he said.

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