Manipur government to soon introduce mounted police in Imphal to preserve the erstwhile princely-ruled state’s tradition, Chief Minister N Biren Singh said on Wednesday.

Chief Minister N.Biren Singh stated that the mounted police would be introduced for the first time in Imphal city.

CM Singh was speaking on the 131st Manipur Police Raising Day celebration held at the parade ground of the 1st Manipur Rifles battalion, Imphal.

Singh recalled that when Manipur was a kingdom, Manipuri cavalries played a major role during the war.

The Chief Minister further stated that the present generation needs to know, follow and preserve the contributions that the forefathers of Manipur did to protect the state from outside forces.

The Chief Minister said that initially 20 mounted police will be introduced in Imphal to patrol the city.

A ommittee has been created led by an IGP-rank officer to shortlist police personnel who are fond of horse ridding, he added.

Meanwhile, the government is also planning to introduce more mounted police in other police stations so that Manipuri ponies can be promoted, said CM Singh.

After Kolkata, Imphal would be the second city in eastern India, where mounted police would be introduced for the first time.