Beware of Fake Tokens, Police Warn Vaikunta Ekadasi Devotees
They warned that devotees found using counterfeit tokens would be denied darshan and that strict legal action would be taken against those issuing or attempting to use fake tokens.
Tirupati: Tirupati district police on Wednesday cautioned devotees against approaching middlemen or unauthorised persons for darshan tokens during the Vaikunta Ekadasi period, warning that fake tokens are being circulated to cheat pilgrims.
Addressing a press conference, district collector Dr. S. Venkateswar and superintendent of police L. Subba Rayudu said darshan tokens for the first three days of the festival December 30, 31 and January 1 were issued only through the electronic dip (e-dip) system.
They warned that devotees found using counterfeit tokens would be denied darshan and that strict legal action would be taken against those issuing or attempting to use fake tokens.
The officials advised e-dip-selected pilgrims to report strictly at the allotted time and designated locations, and urged devotees to rely only on official information issued by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams and the district administration. Action would be initiated against those spreading rumours or misinformation on social media, they said.
The collector and the SP said elaborate security arrangements had been put in place in Tirupati and Tirumala. About 3,000 police personnel have been deployed as part of the Vaikunta Ekadasi bandobast, with crowd movement monitored through a real-time command and control centre using CCTV cameras and enhanced drone surveillance at key locations.
