Home Minister offers prayers at Tirumala

Tirumala, Jan 21 (UNI) Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil offered prayers at Sri Venkateswara Temple here tonight.

Mr Patil, who arrived here from Chennai after attending Satya Sai Baba's felicitation, was accorded a warm welcome by TTD Trust Board Chairman B Karunakara Reddy, Temple JEO G Balaramiah, Deputy Executive Officer Prabhakar Reddy among others He was honoured by the temple priest and later TTD Trust Board Chairman and Temple JEO presented Srivari Vastram, photo and spiritual books to him.

After a night halt, Mr Patil will participate in Srivari Suprabhatam in the early hours and later leave for Delhi by a special flight from Renugunta Airport near Tirupati.

Earlier, briefing media at the Padmavathi Guest House here, Mr Patil said terrorist violence in the country was being controlled and the law and order situation was normal.

ISI activity was decreasing in Jammu and Kashmir and all necessary steps taken to meet the threat, he added.

UNI