The activities of the Salem District Rifle Club were revived after a gap of a decade.
Training session
To mark the revival, a target practice training session was held at the Police Shooting Range at the Yercaud foothills on Sunday. The event was inaugurated by A. Amalraj, Commissioner of Police, and president of the Club.
The Club came into being in composite Salem district in 1953. From the very beginning, it organised various programmes in motivating the youngsters possessing gun licence in proper handling of the weapons.
Due to various reasons, there was some slackness in the functioning of the Club for the past few years. With 568 persons possessing gun licence in the district, the Club felt the need to streamline its functioning once again.
Mr. Amalraj held discussion with the representatives of the Club on the revival process. At the function to inaugurate the training session, Mr. Amalraj said shooting exercise helped people gain confidence and also rejuvenate themselves.
Shooting range
He said Chennai and Coimbatore possessed shooting ranges of high standards.
The Salem Rifle Club could raise donations for the construction of a similar shooting range, for which the Government help would also be forthcoming.
Even those holding gun licence for their safety were not experienced in using the weapon properly.
Such persons should enrol themselves as members of the Club and get expert training in handling the weapons.
Those who did not possess licence too could undergo shooting training, he added.
Stadium
M. Ilangovan, secretary of the Club, said that the Club had also proposed to construct a modern indoor stadium to conduct State and national level shooting competitions.
