This is no arms haul, but a cache for a cause. Citizen vigilantes test their skills at the camp on JAP-II premises in Tatisilwai, Ranchi, on Sunday. Pictures by Hardeep Singh

HATs off, men in uniform!

Ranchi police took time out of their busy crime-busting schedule on Sunday morning to teach licensed civilians how to hold, aim and trigger — HAT in security parlance — a gun, an exercise targeted at better community policing.

This first-of-its-kind programme was held at the shooting butt on Jharkhand Armed Police (JAP)-II premises in Tatisilwai, 18km from the district headquarters.

Around 50 civilians — businessmen, government officials, et al — who were intimated about the unique camp by their local police stations trooped to the firing range at 9am sharp to test their skills and learn finer nuances of using arms and ammunition.

Each participant was allowed to fire five rounds. While those possessing heavy-duty firearms — such as rifles — tested their skills from a distance of 300 metres, others with pistols and revolvers trained their weapons on the target from only 50 metres away.

Most failed to score the bullseye, but some had sharpshooters in them.

Hindpiri businessman Umar Bhai (55) flunked the test and sheepishly admitted that he needed to brush up his skills. “I have had my double-barrelled gun since 1990, but I have never trained it on a target. I failed, but am happy I was a part of this programme.”

Lal Pramod Kumar Singh, a 24-year-old businessman who participated in the camp with four of his family members, was a class apart. The rifle-wielding young man from Lalgutwa hit his target all five times. “I practice every day. I aim at the fish in our pond,” he flashed a smile of victory.

SSP Saket Kumar Singh played instructor at the camp. He shared the mantra of HAT, stressing on the importance of patience and breath control. “Hold your firearms with both hands — the dominant hand on the trigger; take aim, training only one eye on the target; and then, hold your breath and pull the trigger. The target is yours,” he explained.

The senior officer also gave a quick demo to buoy spirits. Unfortunately, his 9mm pistol malfunctioned and he scored four out of five.

Besides practical lessons, the SSP had a tip or two on morality too. “Treat your guns with respect. Practice from time to time. Keep them away from children. And, DO NOT display weapons in public — it can be an invite to criminals.”

The marathon camp was wound up at 2pm.

Speaking on its purpose, Singh said police wanted to ensure that licensed arms were used properly and for genuine reasons. “Most people use guns to fire in the air during weddings and festivals. But, weapons are meant for protection, not amusement..”

More than 500 people in the capital are said to have licensed guns, but only 10 per cent of them turned up at the police camp for civilians.

“We plan to hold camps every Sunday to generate awareness and rope in more participants,” the SSP said, adding that a shooting club for civilians to be manned by a policeman was also on the anvil.

A participant from a rebel-hit area of the district gave thumbs up to the police endeavour. “Self-defence is the need of the hour in today’s crime-prone world,” he summed it up best.