A thick security blanket has been thrown over this temple town in the wake of reports that some Tamil Nadu-based outfits may create trouble during the visit of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa here this evening, the police said today.
The Vaiko-led the MDMK party, which blames Rajapaksa for the plight of Tamils in the last phase of conflict between the Lankan Army and rebel LTTE, has announced staging black flag protest at Tirupati against the leader’s visit there.
Various pro-Tamil groups including the DMK-led TESO have also announced protests elsewhere.
Unprecedented security arrangements have been put in place at the airport here, across the 15 km road from the airport leading to the foot of the hills called Alipiri and the 18 km long hill route leading to Tirumala, the hill abode of Lord Venkateswara, the police sources said.
Rajapaksa would offer prayers in the wee hours on Saturday, temple sources told PTI, adding, he would also take part in the ‘Suprabhatha recitation ritual by priests at the sanctum sanctorum. Rajapaksa would arrive at the airport here this evening on a 17 hour pilgrimage by a Sri Lankan special flight and immediately proceed to the hills by road, and stay overnight at the tightly guarded Sri Padmavathi guest house, the sources said.
He had last visited the shrine on April 2, 2011.