History of Corps of Military Police Corps of Military Police traces its origin to the days preceding the Second World War. In July 1939, one Indian provost section along with one British section was formed to raise force 4 provost unit, which was part of 4th Indian infantry division. Indian section was raised out of other ranks from 7th and 11th cavalry regiments. The recorded date for setting up of first Indian provost unit was 28th of August 1939. Further, on 18th of October 1947, the Corps of Indian Military Police shed its historical British connection and was re-designated as the Corps of Military Police. This date is celebrated as the corps raising day. After independence, the corps has served with flair and proved its mettle while contributing in maintenance of highest standards in the Indian Army. After the 1971 war, the corps was closely associated with the onerous task of looking after 90,000 prisoners of war for more than a year. Functions of Corps of Military Police One of the major functions of Corps of Military Police is to assist commanders in the maintenance of discipline. Other functions include execution of sentences awarded by courts martial, assisting the control of movement of men, material and vehicles, both in peace and war, assisting the enforcement of security precautions, custody and handling of prisoners of war, control and handling of stragglers and refugees in war, provision of pilots, outriders and escorts for designated VIPs, providing assistance to units, servicemen and their families, providing aid to civil police, maintenance of liaison with civil, air force and naval police, carryout investigation of cases pertaining to army personnel, carryout ceremonial functions at national level and more. Apart from basic military training, every military policeman is imparted provost, signal and driving and maintenance training before he finally passes out of the training centre to join his assigned unit. |