Mangalore: Policemen to Train Citizens in Operating Guns
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Apr 29: In a new initiative, the policemen of Dakshina Kannada district have mooted the idea of providing training to the citizens in operating guns. If this plan is implemented, a number of citizens, who have only seen the guns and pistols from a distance or only in films, will get an opportunity to personally get the thrill of handling them.

The plan will cover not only those who possess gun licences, but also a few selected men and women above 18 years of age. The policemen have clarified that the criminals, about whom a detailed list exists with the department, will not be allowed to get this training.

Deputy commissioner of police and in-charge superintendent of police of Dakshina Kannada district, R Ramesh, told the pressmen at a press conference held here on Wednesday April 28, that the department plans to train 500 people in using of guns during this year. He added that this is an intiative being undertaken to further strengthen the bond between the policemen and the citizens, who have been extending support to the department in crushing illegal activities. The training will be given to only credible citizens, and communal goondas and those with criminal background will be weeded out, he clarified.

The training camp will be scheduled during the month of May. Interested persons have to remit Rs 250 and file applications before May 5. The citizens also will have to bear cost of bullets at Rs 10 per bullet. The application forms are available in the offices of the deputy superintendents of police (DySP) in the city, Panambur and Puttur. The training will be provided in three departments, and will be of a week’s duration, he said.

The timings of the training will be between 7 and 8.30 am in the morning and again, from 4.30 to 6 pm in the evening. A day's firing training will be part of the training regimen, which will be conducted at the firing range at Vamanjoor here.

City DySP, B J Bhandary, and Puttur DySP, C K Shashidhar, were present at the press conference.