The batchmates of 43-year-old Hanumantha Jeevapur envy his skill in firing. “He is from the army. We can in no way match him in firing,” said Mr. Jeevapur’s colleague Manjappa Barki.
Mr. Barki is aware of Mr. Jeevapur’s exposure to sophisticated weapons and other artillery during the latter’s service in Kargil and Poonch.
Mr. Jeevapur, a former Gunner Hawaldar, is among the 159 constables who joined the Karnataka State Reserve Police following the nine-month training at the 7{+t}{+h}KSRP battalion here on Tuesday. Mr. Barki and Mr. Jeevapur were the six top performers of the 159 trainees who were felicitated following the passing out parade. Mr. Jeevapur was found to be the best shooter, while Mr. Barki came second in indoor activities.
Mr. Jeevapur, who has served in the Indian Army for 17 years, said it had not been a problem to mix up his other batchmates, who are in their 20s. The nine-month training he underwent, Mr. Jeevapur said, was not as tough as that he had in the Army. “But one thing that was hard to bear is the humidity here,” said Mr. Jeevapur, who hails from Hanumansagar village in Ramdurg taluk of Belagavi district. Another person proud of joining the KSRP was Shivananda M. Shivoor, the 21-year-old son of an agriculturist from Indi Taluk in Vijayapura district. “Poor agriculture yield made me opt for a post in the KSRP,” said Mr. Shivoor, who is the youngest of four children. Mr. Shivoor was adjudged as the best all-rounder among the trainees. Among the other KSRP trainees felicitated were Mahantesh G. from Kudligi in Ballari districct (best in indoor activities), Shreeshai D. Badiger from Kalaburgi district (second in outdoor activities) and Mahesha S. from Mysuru (second in firing).
All the 159 trainees were involved in a colourful passing out parade that was witnessed by Additional Director General of Police (KSRP) Praveen Sood, Inspector General of Police (KSRP) Malini Krishnamurthy, Mangaluru Police Commissioner S. Murugan and Superintendent of Police Sharanappa S.D.
The Commandant of 7{+t}{+h}KSRP Battalion C. Rangaswamy said of the 159 constables who joined the force on Tuesday, six were post graduates while 79 were graduates.
