Target practice simulator unused for last 6-yrs GYAN PRAKASH
TIMES NEWS NETWORK[ MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2002 12:24:36 AM ]
PATNA: A sophisticated equipment Fire Arms Training Simulator (FATS), purchased at a cost of Rs 50 lakh by the cash-strapped state police headquarters, has been rusting in a dingy room of the special branch for the last six years.
Apparently, the higher echelons of the headquarters have not bothered to make proper use of the sophisticated machine. DGP R R Prasad said that the FATS would be shifted to the police training college, which is to come up at Gaya.
Interestingly, the machine was purchased in 1996 to increase the target skill of security personnel attached to VVIP duties, also of field officers in the rank of inspectors down to assistant sub-inspectors. The IPS officers were also scheduled to undergo shooting practice.
All this had become essential, more so, because of the overall security scenario marked by increased threat perception of the VIPs and an increase in extremists activities in the state. The machine helps in polishing right and left hand shooting (both in standing positions) as well as battle crouch, line, attack and defence positions from a distance.
The obvious aim was to enable police officers to lead the police personnel by example. Incidentally, the target practice for the junior and IPS officers has not been organised by the police headquarters for the last several years for want of bullets.
The peculiar feature of the FATS is that one can fire shots in a room without firing an actual shot as it functions on the principle of laser beam. The other advantages are that it is cost effective, as cartridges are not exhausted in such a type of training, and a trainee does not have to go to the actual “firing range”.
Informed sources said that the machine was purchased at the suggestion of the then SP (security) Rituraj, currently DIG (provision). He had joined the state cadre after completion of his term in the Central deputation where he was attached to the Special Protection Group (SPG) that deals with the security of Prime Minister and former PMs.
Rituraj had come across the FATS during his stint at the SPG. Realising its utility, he had proposed to the police headquarters its purchase. The then DGP S K Saxena, readily agreeing to the suggestion, had gone ahead for the purchase of the FATS.
Incidentally, the whole scheme was planned in a haphazard manner.
Even though the police headquarters added FATS to its arsenal, it did not appoint any “handler” to impart training to the junior police officials. Some of the security personnel did get trained by Rituraj, but after his transfer, the same was discontinued.
After the superannuation of Saxena, K A Jacob headed the police headquarters. He proposed to shift the machine to the police training college, Hazaribagh, so that the target practice of probationer junior police officials could become a regular affair. In the meantime, the division of Bihar to create Jharkhand hovered around. The idea was dropped.
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