Photos: Mumbai gets mounted police unit after a gap of 88 years

Mumbai will get a mounted police unit for traffic and crowd control post a gap of 88 years, and the horses will be deployed on duty after taking part in the Republic Day parade at Shivaji Park this year. In the next six months, the unit will comprise 30 horses apart from a sub-inspector, one assistant PSI, four havaldars and 32 constables. The mounted police unit, which would patrol the streets of the bustling metropolis, was disbanded in 1932 due to growing vehicular traffic.

Updated on: Jan 20, 2020 5:14 PM IST

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Personnel of the Mumbai police’s mounted unit during a rehearsal for the Republic Day parade, at Shivaji Park in Mumbai. Mounted Police are set to make a comeback in Mumbai from January 26. State home minister Anil Deshmukh on Sunday announced that 13 horses with policemen riders will be inducted into the force after the Republic Day parade. (Vijayanand Gupta / HT Photo)

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The mounted police unit, which would patrol the streets of the bustling metropolis, was disbanded in 1932 due to growing vehicular traffic. Deshmukh said, “Horse-mounted police will help in crowd management, especially during protests and managing large gatherings.” (Vijayanand Gupta / HT Photo)

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Mumbai police has presently acquired 13 horses between the ages of 8 years and 10 years. Eleven of the 13 horses will participate in the Republic Day parade and then start their duties the next day with patrolling the city’s western shoreline, Deshmukh said. (Vijayanand Gupta / HT Photo)

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Deshmukh said 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, and claimed a policeman on horseback was equal to 30 personnel on the ground. (Vijayanand Gupta / HT Photo)

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The home department has approved setting up of the mounted police force with 30 horses and 32 trained policemen. In the next six months, the unit will comprise 30 horses apart from a sub-inspector, one assistant PSI, four havaldars and 32 constables. (Vijayanand Gupta / HT Photo)

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“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),” Deshmukh told reporters at a press conference. (Vijayanand Gupta / HT Photo)

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Other states such as Kerala, Karnataka, have mounted police, and Kolkata, and Chennai city police forces also have mounted police units. Deshmukh said the unit could be replicated in cities like Pune and Nagpur, among others, as well. (Vijayanand Gupta / HT Photo)