Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu delivered a strong and unambiguous message to individuals involved in the drug trade on Tuesday, urging them to mend their ways immediately or prepare for severe legal repercussions. The warning came as the state government ramped up its aggressive campaign against the scourge of 'chitta' (heroin), which is seen as a direct threat to the youth and the future of the hill state.
Massive Public Mobilization in Hamirpur
The Chief Minister issued this stern directive while addressing a large gathering at the third consecutive anti-chitta awareness walkathon, held in Hamirpur. He appealed to the public to collaborate closely with the authorities to build a society free from narcotics. Prior to this, Sukhu had personally led similar awareness marches in the state capital Shimla on November 15 and in Dharamshala on December 1.
The Hamirpur walkathon commenced at the Government Senior Secondary School (Boys) and culminated at the Police Lines, Dosadka Ground. The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from students, elected public representatives, government officials, and local residents. Before the march began, CM Sukhu administered a solemn oath to all attendees, who pledged their unified resolve to eliminate 'chitta' and other dangerous drugs from Himachal Pradesh.
Decisive Action and Crackdown Statistics
In his speech, Sukhu emphasized that the state is engaged in a conclusive war against drugs. He stated that strict and determined measures are being implemented to eradicate the 'chitta termite' from its roots using the full, unrelenting force of the law.
The Chief Minister highlighted several key achievements of the ongoing crackdown. He revealed that on November 22, the police executed simultaneous raids at 121 locations, successfully targeting top-tier drug trafficking networks. Following this, on November 25, checks were conducted at 51 educational institutions and approximately 598 shops, markets, and areas around colleges. This drive led to the registration of 12 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and the issuance of 385 challans.
In a significant move on December 7, authorities detained 16 major traffickers under the stringent Prevention of Illicit Traffic (PIT) in NDPS Act. Sukhu provided a comprehensive summary of the campaign's impact so far: 63 traffickers arrested, 1,214 suspects identified, and 950 illegal properties marked for action. Notably, assets valued at over Rs 50 crore have been seized, marking a substantial increase from the Rs 13 crore seized during the tenure of the previous government.
Rehabilitation and Future Roadmap
Beyond enforcement, the Chief Minister outlined a constructive plan for rehabilitation. He announced the establishment of new de-addiction centres across Himachal Pradesh. Furthermore, a dedicated Drug De-addiction, Prevention, and Rehabilitation Board will be formed to systematically coordinate treatment programs, preventive measures, and community outreach initiatives.
The event in Hamirpur was attended by Technical Education Minister Rajesh Dharmani, several MLAs, Congress party leaders, and senior government officials, demonstrating a united political and administrative front against the drug menace.
