Tirupati-Tirumala hills grapple with rising AIDS cases

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Tirupati-Tirumala hills grapple with rising AIDS cases

Shwetal Rai / CNN-IBN

Published on Sat, Jun 21, 2008 at 01:35, Updated at Sat, Jun 21, 2008

in Nation section. SCARY STATS: AP AIDS Control Society says there are over 200

sex workers in the Tiruptai-Tirumala hills area.

Hyderabad: There has been a steep rise in the number of HIV/AIDS

cases in one of India's holiest Hindu pilgrimage sites, the Tirupati-

Tirumala hills.

Andhra Pradesh AIDS Control Society has found out that over 200

commercial sex workers operate in the area.

" We have come across this information through unofficial sources that

there is commercial sex activity even in Tirumala. There are about

200-300 sex workers there, " Project Director, AP AIDS Control

Society, K Chandravadan said.

The discovery reveal that sex workers clandestinely operate in about

15 secluded spots in the hills.

Chittoor — another district known for its pilgrimage sites — has also

been identified as a high-risk zone. Incidentally, smoking, drinking

and non-vegetarian food are banned in the Tirupati-Tirumala hills.

The temple authorities, however, have denied the findings.

" I disagree with the media reports. There are thousands of employees

here who are sincere and dedicated. There is no scope for such

scandals. We would never allow it, " Executive Officer, Tirupati

Tirumala Devasthanam, KV Ramanachary defended.

Special VIP darshans, a possible dress code and alleged

discrimination against scheduled castes — the Tirupati Tirumala

Devasthanam has been enmeshed in various controversies lately.

While the temple authorities are now in damage control mode, news of

rampant prostitution has shocked devotees.

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