Fine policing on horseback

RS Dalal

A young man of 25, I was posted as SSP Bhiwani in 1977, with little experience about 'practical policing'. The Emergency had been lifted, the general election was held, followed by elections to state Assemblies. The times were turbulent. The uproar for action against Emergency excesses refused to die out in Bhiwani. This resulted in frequent transfers of officers as the restless crowds and leaders expected instant results. I was as reluctant as my predecessors. 

The events leading to my posting were no less curious. I was posted under a senior officer in a district adjoining Delhi only a month ago. One morning, I was astonished to see my boss at my bachelor’s accommodation. Before I could welcome him, he asked me to accompany him to Haryana Bhawan. ‘You will meet the CM. Don’t ask unnecessary questions,’ he mildly warned. We were ushered in his office. 'Sir, he's fit for Bhiwani district,’ he added quickly. The elderly leader asked me: ‘Bhiwani se bhaje ga tou nahi, chhore?’ (Hope you won't flee Bhiwani). 

The words ‘run away’ rung alarm bells, but I showed courage. ‘No, Sir, I would never run away,’ I said confidently without understanding the issue. 

By evening, my posting orders were issued. My friends from college were jubilant while senior police officers were aghast: ‘Why make a sacrificial goat of a raw youngster? The district needs a battle-hardened officer.’ With my heart pounding, I landed at the Bhiwani mini secretariat. Groups of curious onlookers were milling around, wondering how long I would last. 

As I lay sleepless in bed that night, I thought of strategies to hold the fort. Public service is all about making an impact and generating trust. ‘Keep your innocence and simplicity intact,’ was a mantra enunciated by my academy instructors.

A knock at the door disturbed my thoughts. The duty orderly handed me an envelope marked ‘urgent’ on it. A CID report warned of a procession by college students that could turn violent, as it did a month ago. An opportunity to prove myself with students, I realised at once. ‘Do we have horses in the Police Lines?’ I enquired. The district had six horses. ‘I’ll go out for riding to the college campus in the morning,’ l announced. 

The next morning, I was leading a group of four horsemen in full riding gear in the spacious, but ill-kept college grounds. We familiarised the horses with the ground conditions, trotted around and waited for the students to start trickling in. Once a sizeable number was there, we put up a display of fast canter and gallop. The students broke out into a big applause. I acknowledged them and shook hands with a few while on the horseback. The message had been driven; and a rapport struck. 

They did take out the procession. The police stopped them at the entry point to the town. They obeyed and dispersed peacefully after submitting a memorandum to the DSP on duty.