A total of 15 more horses will join Delhi’s Mounted Police Unit, raising the fleet to 30.
The force recently sent a request to the Indian Army seeking to buy 15 more stallions for its Mounted Police Unit. The 15 horses, currently in the fleet, were bought early this year.
The Mounted Police Unit, which was established in 1930, has a sanctioned strength of 95 horses. Sources said that Rakesh Asthana, the previous police commissioner, wanted to get back the sanctioned horses’ strength and moved a proposal to the MHA to buy more horses for the Delhi Police.
Till last year, the Mounted Police Unit had just four horses. Soon after the tenure of the four horses ended, Asthana got permission to buy new horses for the force.
Apart from sports, the 15 new stallions will be used during Republic Day, Independence Day, and ceremonial functions. They can also be used in controlling law and order or in crowd control management.
Horses, which were bought from the Indian Army early this year, have been preparing for the All-India Sports Meet in Tekanpur, Madhya Pradesh. Their names are – Arjun, Akash, Abhimanyu, Tilak, Shakti, Chetak, Saya, Bala, Vajra, Virat, Tagion, Dhruv, Jihan, and two mares Tara and Krishma.
“A total of 11 among them were bought from Army units in Saharanpur and four from Hempur in February and March,” said a police officer, adding “their names are kept on the basis of their breed and traits”. Their age is between 6 and 7 years and each horse costs Rs 7 lakh.
“The proposal to get 15 more horses was sent to the Police Headquarters and now, it is with the Indian Army. As soon as the Indian Army clears the costs and selection process, the Delhi Police will move ahead,” added the officer.
The training of the already inducted 15 horses is being carried out by PTC Jharaula Kalan. At least five of them will be selected for participation at the sports meet in Tekanpur.
The unit has an approved strength of 115 personnel who are riders and take care of the horses. Due to the shortage of horses in the unit, the personnel were deployed at various police stations.
Sources said the tenure of the horses ends after 17 years, after which they are given to the NGOs by the force.