When they position themselves at busy traffic signals or pedestrian crossings, few dare to violate the rules. The Mounted Police in Mysuru, a legacy from its royal past, not only evoke awe in the minds of onlookers, but have proved to be an effective tool in crowd control and law enforcement.
The Mounted Police in Mysuru recently added 18 horses belonging to the native Kathiawari breed to the dwindling strength of its cavalry, which is pre-dominantly of the thoroughbred variety.
Though marginally shorter than thoroughbreds, the newly-inducted Kathiawari horses, according to Reserve Police Inspector N. Sudarshan, are “more sturdy, have better stamina and rough hooves.” The average Kathiawari horse stands around 5 feet tall while its thoroughbred counterpart is around 5.75 feet tall. But, the expenditure incurred on maintenance of Kathiawari horse is lesser than on thoroughbred horses.
Meanwhile, personnel at the Mounted Police headquarters situated on Lalitha Mahal Palace Road are bracing themselves to train the new additions in the duties discharged by the force – ceremonial parades, escorts, march past, traffic control, crowd control, etc. New horses are added every few years when the horses age and become unfit for duty, said Commandant of Mounted Police R. Janardhan.
Considered to be the pride of the City police force, the Mounted Police are believed to enjoy an edge over the regular police in controlling crowds, pedestrians and traffic when deployed at K.R. Circle, Zoo and Chamundi Hills. “The general public are scared of violating the law when we take positions. By moving the horse backward and forwardwe can enforce discipline in an unruly crowd,” said Limboji Rao, 53, a horseman, who has been in the force for 27 years now.
K. Mallayya Swamy, 50, also a horseman, said they were expected to conduct themselves respectably while astride a horse. “We have to maintain the dignity of the force.”
Daily routine
The Mounted Police personnel’s day begins early at 4.30 a.m. when they arrive at the headquarters, tie the saddle to their horses and take it to the parade from 6 a.m. to 7.30 a.m., before returning to the stables and allowing the horses to roll in the sand (sand bath) and proceed to the pool to quench its thirst.
