With the Legislative Assembly due to commence its monsoon session on Monday, some 70 marshals are being trained by a woman martial arts expert to take on the neta log.
Apart from being put through the paces with pushups, abdomen exercises and body weight workouts, they are also being trained in the art of carrying troublesome khaddarwalas out of the House.
With the session likely to be a stormy one, the Hyderabad City Police have decided to impart martial arts training to the marshals.
Police sources told Express that the marshals, mostly constables drafted from various wings of the city police including the Task Force, have been sweating it out for nearly three hours every day -- mornings and evenings -- at the Goshamahal police stadium.
They said martial arts techniques are necessary while physically lifting MLAs, who tend to have delicate constitutions. ‘’We have to skillfully lift the VIPs without hurting them though the fact remains that more often than not it is the marshals who get hurt in the process.
Moreover, many of the VIPs are stout, have various ailments,’’ said a police officer. He said professional trainer Kiran Dembla’s services have been drafted to teach the marshals delicate grips. ‘’Basically, we are training them on how to grip an individual while hefting him up. The objective is to ensure that the individual does not get hurt in the process,’’ Dembla told Express. But carrying MLAs out bodily is not the most difficult task that might fall to a marshal. Sometimes suspended MLAs may have to be dragged out, kicking and screaming. This requires techniques of a different kind in order to not make it look unseemly.
Besides, women marshals have to be taught how to handle women MLAs. Sources said women MLAs, however, rarely have to be carried out. Besides martial arts, the marshals are being given body weight training to get fit. ‘’They are being made to do various exercises like jumping jacks, push-ups and abdomen exercises,’’ she said.
The fitness expert said the marshals have been given diet charts as well. ‘’They will have to remain standing for long hours and therefore a good diet is necessary. The marshals are doing well,’’ said Kiran, who runs a gymnasium.