The Uttar Pradesh government will deploy specially trained mounted police during the Maha Kumbh to effectively manage the crowd at one of the world’s largest religious gatherings. Police officers riding on horses will patrol on foot in areas beyond the reach of regular police, so that the movement of lakhs of devotees can be smooth.
In a statement, the state government said that to support the initiative, 130 horses of Indian, American and English breeds and 166 policemen have been deployed. The 166 policemen include 35 staff for the care of horses. Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police Prashant Kumar said the horses have been given special training to manage the crowd effectively without causing harm to the devotees.
He said the mounted police have been trained for crowd management both on land and water in Moradabad and Sitapur.
Counter Inspector Prem Babu of Mounted Police Line said that to supplement the Indian breed horses, American Warmblood and England’s Thoroughbred horses have been purchased from the army. He told that these horses are being adapted to the area of Mahakumbh through regular patrolling in the morning and evening, so that they can become familiar with the geographical conditions of the fair.
The mounted police are supported by a team of three veterinarians, who ensure the health and well-being of these horses. The horses are massaged daily and groomed every month to maintain their physical fitness. A statement issued by the state government said that the horses are given a special diet, which includes 1 kg gram, 100 grams of jaggery, 100 grams of linseed oil, 2 kg of barley, 1 kg of bran, 25 kg of green grass and 30 kg of wheat. Contains grams of salt.
