Child rights panel to inspect Tirumala pathway today

 TIRUPATI: In the aftermath of two leopard attacks on children in the past four months, State Commission for Protection of Child Rights will inspect in detail the footways to Tirumala on Thursday and Friday.

The commission’s visit is to assess the security measures in place along the pathways to ensure the safety of children visiting Tirumala.

The inspection team will be led by commission chairman K. Appa Rao. He will be accompanied by G. Seetaram, T. Adi Lakshmi and B. Padmavathi. Appa Rao said their focus will be to evaluate the steps taken to protect children in the wake of increasing wild animal attacks.

The first incident occurred on June 22 when a leopard attacked a young boy named Koushik, who miraculously survived. The second incident on August 12 turned tragic, as a leopard mauled six-year-old Lakshita to death.

The child rights panel will hold discussions with multiple stakeholders, including Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams and state forest, police and revenue departments to gain insights into the safety aspects.

Panel members will also hold a meeting with the collector, superintendent of police and TTD officials to discuss measures taken to prevent child marriages, begging by children and child labour at Tirumala.