Special cover released on Malabar Special Police
Malabar Special Police is one of the oldest and prestigious Armed Police Forces in India and first of its kind in Kerala, established during the reign of British India in 1921. Now the Malabar Special Police (MSP), head quartered at Malappuram, is an integral part of Armed Police Force under the Kerala Police, with other sub camps at Nilambur and Melmuri. This police force is now been drafted for various responsibilities with high profile including Law & Order and other various assignments. This Battalion has also been developed as one of the effective, professional and renowned training unit for recruit police constables of Kerala Police.
This Police Unit is known for its extra ordinary tough training, effective handling of tough law and order situations and the high quality of firing and military drills. The largest natural firing range is also part of the Melmuri Detachment Camp. In addition to the facilities of armed training, the battalion has a motor vehicle workshop, a central library, a Computer Lab, a Police Hospital, a wet Canteen, Polish Store and 2 prestigious Schools known as MSP English Medium High School and MSP Higher Secondary School.
The Motto of Malabar Special Police is “YUDHIVIKRAMA” that was written by a famous scholar and astrologist of Calicut in 1930’s, Sri Norman Achutan Nair and adored ever since. The spirit of the motto ever remained as the Beacon to remain the force of its responsibility in performing the duties under the conditions whether normal or adverse, friendly or hostile, last but not least, peaceful and dreadful.
The Government in on 30th September, 1921 sanctioned a strength of 6 British Officers, 8 Subedars, 16 Jamadars, 60 Havildars and 600 Constables to be formed into companies of Auxillary Police. This was later called the Malabar Special Police. The Force was officered by an Indian Civil Service officer, a probationary Assistant Superintendent of Police and demobilized officers of the British Army. The recruits were sent to Cannanore for training. The MSP successfully handled all the different tactics of the rebels and suppressed them. Its fame as expertise in guerilla warfare spread outside the state. Many agencies outside the state made use of them. Mr.Happel who later became the Inspector General of Police said of them, “Their discipline and general behaviour were excellent, they marched admirably, and inspite of frequent attacks of fever and the greatest hardships, there was never any grumbling” . In action they showed splendid dash and a complete disregard for danger.
The MSP was specially formed to deal with the social unrest in the region. The Headquarters of this battalion is at Malappuram. Hitchcock himself was the first Commandant. In 1932, the MSP was reorganised as 4 companies. The strength was increased to 16 companies during the Second World War. After the MSP strike in 1946, the number was reduced to 12 companies. At the formation of the Kerala State, 6 MSP companies were handed over to Madras State and the remaining 6 companies were retained in the Kerala Police. In 1957, 3 more companies were added to MSP during the VimochanaSamaram. The total present strength of Malabar Special Police is 7 companies. In addition to the facilities of armed training , the battalion has a motor vehicle workshop. At present newly recruited drivers are given training at this workshop. A central library and a computer centre are part of this battalion, apart from a prestigious school.
This special cover issues on 28th June-2021 ( KL08/2021).
