Tirupati police told to get hands-on training in weapons

SP V. Harshavardhan Raju checking his performance after firing shots at the annual firing practice event, at the Kalyani Dam Firing Range in Tirupati district on Monday.

Superintendent of Police (SP) V. Harshavarshan Raju instructed all the police personnel in the department to get hands-on weapons training and regularly brush up their knowledge in order to improve their prowess in its use.

Mr. Raju was participating in the annual firing practice conducted for the officers, civil police and armed reserve police at the firing range in Kalyani Dam in Tirupati on Monday, when he made the observation. Wielding a couple of arms, he took position and set his eyes on target, firing a few shots.

“We have to be ready any time to use the arms in order to ensure law and order and also to safeguard people’s lives and property,” he said. He made a special reference to the district, which is home to the world famous pilgrim centre of Tirumala, thronged by VVIPs and scores of devotees every day.

Trainee IPS officer B. Hemanth, Additional Superintendents I. Ramakrishna (Tirumala) and Naga Bhushanam (Crime), Srinivasa Rao (Armed Reserve) also took part.

Shakti team launched

Mr. Harshavardhan Raju also launched ‘Shakti Teams’ meant for women’s security and appealed to the women to download the ‘Shakti’ app on their mobile phones to alert the department during emergencies. Every police sub-division will have a Shakti team, which will have six female police each. The teams will crack the whip on issues like eve teasing, harassment of women, physical abuse among others, said Mr. Raju.