Deputy Inspector-General of Police (Anantapur range) B. Balakrishna assured to lay sufficient stress on fortifying the security in and around the temple of Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala.

Mr. Balakrishna, who took charge as the DIG of Police at Tirumala on Tuesday, spoke to the media persons at the Tirupati Urban District Police Office downhill later when he made the observation.

Recalling his old association with the district when he discharged duty as the Deputy Superintendent of Police of Tirupati and more recently, as the Chief Vigilance and Security Officer of the TTD, he said he knew the requirements of Tirumala and Tirupati.

More cops on duty

Admitting the administrative bottlenecks in the newly-formed Tirupati Urban police district, he said it was still in the nascent stage and the problems being faced would soon be resolved.

“The manpower shortage in the department is also being addressed effectively, as the cops undergoing training programme would report to duty here very soon,” he added.

Superintendent of Police S.V. Rajasekhar Babu, Additional Superintendents of Police C. Rama Umamaheswara Sarma (Tirupati) and J. Subbarami Reddy (Tirumala), Deputy Superintendents of Police V. Narasimha Reddy (East division), S.K. Babu (West division) M.V.S. Swamy (Crime), P. Shankar (Traffic) and H. Vimalakumari (Special Branch) and other police officials extended Mr. Balakrishna a ceremonial reception at the district police office here.