Karnataka readies riot unit

The unit’s ‘‘rules of combat’’ are already out. All personnel in the unit will be below 35 years of age and have to undergo stringent physical tests to qualify. They will also undergo intensive training in riot control, hand-to-hand combat and handling modern weapons, including grenades and tear gas-shells. Members of the unit will be trained partly at the NSG facility in Manesar.

‘‘The purpose of restricting the age limit is to keep the force young and fit. Once these commandos grow older, they will be moved out to other units in the Department,’’ the officer said. Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Subash Bharani said: ‘‘The force will be the most well-equipped and well-trained unit in the state police.’’

This is not the first time that KSRP personnel are being picked for commando training. In 1994-95, around 500 personnel of the specially-raised IX Battalion had undergone training at NSG and with paratroopers in the city and BSF. The unit became dysfunctional due to lack of continuation in training and proper assignments. The only assignment they were posted to was on the Veerappan trail. Later, the ‘‘trained commandos’’ were used for routine bandobast duty.