Dwelling on the present state of the mounted police, ADGP Ashok Kumar said though there are three such squads in three districts- Dehradun, Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar - only 26 horses are there against the sanctioned number of 39. Moreover, four or five horses are not fit. As instructed, he would soon start the process of purchasing horses to ensure that the mounted police squad is adequately revamped before the Ardh Kumbh starts in Haridwar in January next year.
There is no crunch of funds in the department and all possible steps will be taken to strengthen the squad soon. Interestingly, ADGP Kumar, who assumed charge on January 12, has not yet been allocated department and office in the police headquarters. Sources said that an office was allocated to ADGP Kumar in PHQ but he refused, citing dearth of amenities.
He returned to Uttarakhand after completing five years on deputation in the Central Government. It should be mentioned here that while reviewing Mounted Police Squad, DGP BS Sidhu had found that the squad has not the sanctioned number of horses. Besides, several posts were found lying vacant. DGP Sidhu had directed ADGP Kumar to take steps to purchase horses and fill up the vacant posts of policemen.