The Kendrapada police with the help of Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel on Saturday demonstrated a joint anti-riot mock drill at the local Biju Patanik Stadium. The mock exercise was led by district SP Sarthak Sarangi and RAF deputy commandant (Jamshedpur unit) Pl Sethi.
Two platoons of police personnel, including women constables, from the district and one unit of RAF personnel participated in the mock drill. The RAF experts demonstrated arms and ammunitions and provided technical support how to tackle various situations.
During the mock drill, anti riot gas gun, different types of fire guns, grenade, tear gas, rubber bullets and federal riot guns were displayed and were fired by the police personnel with the technical support from the RAF experts.
The mock exercise was a part of a week-long familiarization programme carried out by the RAF personnel in the district from June 10 to 16, said SP Sarangi. According RAF deputy commandant Sethi, the RAF has been getting knowledge on the sensitive places and roads in the district which would help it start operation immediately if any communal riot occurs.
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has identified some districts as communal riot prone. The coastal Kendrapada district has been declared as a hyper sensitive district related to communal riot. As a result, the Ministry has deputed the RAF of Jamshedpur unit to undertake area simulation exercise, informed Sarangi.