Bhubaneswar: The 54th State Police Firing (Shooting) Competition concluded on Sunday at the Police Training Institute (PTI), Byree, in Jajpur district, marking the end of a four-day event that witnessed enthusiastic participation from police personnel across Odisha.
The competition, which commenced on February 26, saw the participation of 16 teams and 269 personnel representing various police districts, battalions, and establishments from across the state. Events were conducted in three major categories — Rifle, Revolver/Pistol, and Carbine/Sten Gun.
Additional Director General of Police (Law & Order), Sanjay Kumar, graced the closing ceremony as the Chief Guest and took the salute at an impressive ceremonial parade. Addressing the gathering, he congratulated the winners and appreciated all participants for their dedication and discipline. He noted that Odisha Police has earned a distinguished reputation at the national level in shooting competitions and urged personnel to continue rigorous practice to achieve greater success in forthcoming All India Police Competitions.
During the prize distribution ceremony, trophies and cash awards were presented to outstanding performers. In the Rifle category, Havildar Manoranjan Maharana of SOG, Bhubaneswar, was adjudged the Best Rifleman, while Assistant Commandant Rajat Pattanaik of SOG secured the second position and Constable Deepak Kumar Dakua of the Training Institute stood third.
The Rifle Hardline Trophy was bagged by the SSBN Hounds team, while OSAP Panther emerged as runners-up. The Rifle Championship Trophy went to the SOG, Bhubaneswar team. In individual events, Constable Deepak Kumar Dakua won the 100-Yard Rifle (Standing Position) Trophy; Swapan Kumar Sarkar clinched the 200-Yard Rifle Shooting (DGP Trophy); and Havildar Ranjit Thapa secured the 300-Yard Rifle Shooting (ADGP-SAP Trophy). Assistant Commandant Rajat Pattanaik won the 300-Yard Snap Shooting Award.
In the Revolver/Pistol category, Assistant Commandant Manas Ranjan Panda of SOG, Bhubaneswar, won the Best Revolverman Trophy. Constable Ajit Kumar Sahu and Havildar Kshiradhar Sahu secured the second and third positions respectively. The Revolver Hardline Trophy was won by the Training Institute team, while OSAP Panther finished runners-up. The Revolver Championship Trophy was claimed by SOG, Bhubaneswar.
The 15-, 25-, 30-, and 50-yard Pistol/Revolver Shooting Trophies were won by Manas Ranjan Panda, Kshiradhar Sahu, Tanmaya Kumar Mantri, and Ajit Kumar Sahu, respectively.
In the Sten Gun category, SOG, Bhubaneswar, won the Sten Championship Trophy, while OSAP Panther secured the runners-up position. Manas Ranjan Panda was declared the Best Sten Shooter and Havildar Uttam Charan Kandi was adjudged second Best Sten Shooter.
With the highest aggregate marks in Rifle, Revolver, and Sten Gun categories, SOG, Bhubaneswar, lifted the overall Championship Trophy.
On the occasion, several officers who had previously brought laurels to Odisha Police in shooting competitions were felicitated, including S.P. Tamang, Commandant, 4th IR Battalion, Deogarh; Kailash Chandra Balabantray, Assistant Commandant, 6th IR Battalion, Khordha; R.R.R. Reddy, Inspector, OSAP 8th Battalion, Chhatrapur; and Havildar Jiten Kumar Pradhan of 1st OSAP, Dhenkanal.
Among those present at the ceremony were Additional Director General of Police (SAP) Rajesh Kumar, IGP (SAP) Gajbhiye Satish Kumar, Commandant PTI Byree Ashok Kumar Dehuri, Commandant 6th OSAP Cuttack Suryanarayan Mallik, Commandant 2nd Battalion Jharsuguda Prasad Tamang, Sports Officer of State Police Headquarters Neel Madhab Swain, and other senior police officers.
