Mumbai to have mounted police unit
Mumbai/UNI: After a gap of 88 years, Mumbai police will get a mounted police unit for traffic and crowd control post, while horses will be deployed on duty after taking part in the Republic Day parade at Shivaji Park this year, state Home Minister Anil Deshmukh has said.
According to the Minister, the unit was disbanded in 1932 due to growing vehicular traffic. However, from January 26, it would patrol the streets of the bustling metropolis.
'Accordingly, for the first time since Independence, Mumbai will have a mounted police unit," he said here on Sunday.
He said the horses in the unit can be used for crowd control during festivals and marches, at beaches and the rider can keep watch from a good height. A policeman on horseback was equal to 30 personnel on the ground, Deshmukh added.
He also said that the unit could be replicated in cities like Pune and Nagpur, among others, as well.
In the next six months, the unit will comprise 30 horses, apart from a Sub-Inspector, one assistant PSI, four havaldars and 32 constables.
"At present, 13 horses have been purchased and the rest will be bought in the next six months. A stable will be built on a 2.5 acre plot at Marol (in suburban Andheri)," he added.
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