The security and vigilance sleuths of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), in the presence of prohibition and excise officials, here on Monday dumped nearly 119 litres of liquor seized from the pilgrims over the past three months, at the main security check point near Alipiri.
The liquor bottles were seized from visiting devotees, who knowingly or unknowingly tried to carry alcohol past the Alipiri check point, which is the primary entrance for Tirumala hills. It may be recalled that possession and consumption of liquor, tobacco products and meat, according to the AP Charitable and Endowments Act, is banned on Tirumala.
According to the vigilance officials, pilgrims mainly from Maharashtra due to lack of awareness on do’s and don’ts in Tirumala were found carrying alcohol past the check point. The officials further appealed to the pilgrims to maintain the sanctity of Tirumala by refraining from such activities.
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As per the regular practice the liquor in plastic packaging was poured on the ground while the glass bottles were smashed, sending a message that prohibited materials from the pilgrims would be seized and destroyed.
Assistant Superintendent of Prohibition and Excise Malla Reddy, TTD’s Vigilance and Security Officer (VSO) A. Hanumanthu, Assistant Vigilance Security Officer (AVSO) B. Kurma Rao and other officials carried out the exercise. The seized liquor was valued at Rs.1.35 lakh.