Mounted Police On Special Microchipped Horses To Guard Devotees, Rein In Crowds At Maha Kumbh

‘Mounted police ensure better crowd control’

“Mounted police play a pivotal role in managing crowded places like the Mahakumbh, where vehicular access is limited," said Prem Babu, reserve inspector (RI), mounted police. “In such scenarios, these mounts become indispensable. Riding on horseback provides officers with an elevated vantage point, enabling better crowd control, efficient traffic management, and effective patrolling."

Prem Babu further said, “We conduct routine drills daily, taking these specially microchipped horses to the Mela site at least twice a day. This practice familiarises them with the patrolling routes and helps acclimate them to the Mela area, ensuring they perform seamlessly during the event."

Why are these horses microchipped and special?

“They are not ordinary horses; they belong to the finest breeds," the RI said. Highlighting their elite mounts, he added, “Dara, our best and most sensible horse, was born in 2020 in Hisar, Haryana, with an American-bred father. Our fleet includes around 50 American-bred horses, alongside Indian-bred mounts like Rankumbha and Ahilya, and British-bred horses such as Gauri and Shaheen."

He further said, “These horses are no ordinary mounts; they are microchipped and monitored round the clock. The chips, placed in their necks, store extensive data, including a record of their past seven generations. This technology ensures precise monitoring and care." He said these horses are priceless. If we talk about the market value of these microchipped horses, it ranges from Rs 50 lakh to Rs 3 crore. “These horses are not just assets but vital components of crowd management and patrolling," he added.

UP police’s special horses also have meticulous care and a special diet plan designed for this fleet of elite horses. “We ensure every horse receives a balanced diet, which includes one kilogram of gram, 100 grams of jaggery, two kilograms of barley, 100 grams of flaxseed oil, 25 kilograms of green grass, and 30 grams of rock salt daily," he explained.

To maintain their health, a dedicated team of 40 caretakers and three veterinary doctors regularly monitors the horses. “Their health is checked every ten days to diagnose and address any illnesses promptly. The horses also receive massages three times a day, have their horseshoes replaced monthly, and get their hair trimmed once a month," he added.

Watering schedules are equally detailed, with the horses being given water five times a day in winter and seven times during summer, ensuring their hydration needs are met throughout the year. These practices reflect the commitment to keeping the mounts in peak condition.

Mounted police

Senior officials said that the mounted police, one of the oldest divisions in Indian policing, traces its origins to the British era. It was established for specific duties, including patrolling roads, escorting prisoners and treasure, conveying urgent communications, following criminals, suppressing organised crimes, ceremonial escorts, and traffic control. Organised into troops at key headquarters, mounted police maintain high standards of efficiency. Officers are required to keep their horses fit and their equipment clean and functional. Sub-inspectors and head constables, akin to non-commissioned officers in the army, oversee drills and horse care, ensuring operational readiness. Each troop also has an attached trumpeter for ceremonial duties.

Officials said that the mounted police undergo rigorous training, spanning two years for recruits. They learn to ride proficiently, handle horses, groom mounts, and master sword and lance exercises. Selected constables attend a three-month advanced course at the Police Training College, Moradabad, which is mandatory for promotions. They are also trained in scouting and preparing horses for challenging conditions, including exposure to fire, enhancing their tactical abilities.

130 trained horses and 166 personnel to control crowds

The Uttar Pradesh police have deployed an elite unit of 130 specially trained horses and 166 personnel, including inspectors, sub-inspectors, head constables, and constables, to manage the massive crowds expected at the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj. Anticipated to attract over 40 crore devotees, the event is set to be one of the largest gatherings in history. “The mounted police unit is a key initiative for crowd control, known for their efficiency in navigating inaccessible areas and maintaining safety and order," said Prashant Kumar, director general of police (DGP), UP.

These horses, trained to operate seamlessly in dense crowds without causing harm, are also equipped for water-based crowd management. “Mounted police, even in the drone era, are indispensable for managing law and order in densely populated areas and asserting area dominance," Kumar added.

The unit comprises Indian breeds alongside American Warmbloods and English Thoroughbreds, some sourced from the Indian Army. “Each horse underwent specialised training at Moradabad and Sitapur to adapt to the challenges of the Kumbh," a senior official said. Additional DG Bhanu Bhaskar highlighted daily patrols to acclimate the horses and riders to the terrain, ensuring readiness for critical crowd management during main bathing days.

The mounted cops and their horses also played an important role during Kumbh 2019. As all vehicles could not reach every corner of the vast sandy stretch of the Ganga and Yamuna, mounted police personnel were deployed to patrol the tent city and wetlands. Moreover, mounted cops were also used for crowd management during main bathing days.