Shimla: The Himachal Pradesh government has declared an aggressive offensive against drug trafficking.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has handed the police a six-month deadline to dismantle the state’s illegal drug trade.
Chairing a high-level meeting in Shimla, the CM instructed officials to eliminate the drug syndicates operating in Himachal.
He made it clear—government employees caught in drug smuggling will be dismissed without leniency.
No Room for Drug Networks
Sukhu emphasized that his government follows a zero-compromise policy on narcotics. He directed the police to enforce the PIT-NDPS Act rigorously and clear all pending cases within a week. “Why the delay in cracking down on these networks?” he questioned officials.
The CM ordered authorities to seize the properties of drug traffickers and track their financial transactions.
He also announced that the Anti-Narcotics Task Force would be strengthened. In addition, a Special Task Force (STF), led by a senior police officer, will be formed to uproot the drug racket.
Mapping Drug Peddlers Up to Panchayat Level
Setting a March 15, 2025 deadline, Sukhu has instructed police to identify drug suppliers and users down to the panchayat level. He stressed that panchayat representatives and village Nambardars must be involved in the campaign to curb the menace at its roots.
Action Against Lax Police Officers
Taking a firm stand, the CM warned senior police officials that inaction or reluctance to register NDPS cases will not be tolerated.
He ordered a thorough investigation of the entire drug supply chain and directed officers to trace both the source and distribution links of every case.
Special Courts & New Anti-Drug Law Coming
To ensure faster prosecution of drug cases, the government will establish Special Courts.
Also, a new HP Anti-Drug Act will be introduced in the upcoming budget session.
This law will clearly separate drug peddlers from victims, ensuring that addicts receive rehabilitation instead of punishment.
A high-tech rehabilitation center is also being set up in Kotla Behar, Sirmaur district to provide professional recovery programs for affected youth.
Pharmaceutical Companies Under Watch
The CM also issued a warning to pharma companies involved in illegal drug supply.
Licenses of any company found guilty of unauthorized sale of psychotropic substances will be revoked permanently.
FIRs will be lodged against such firms, and their license renewals will be blocked.
Statewide Awareness Drive Planned
Sukhu also directed departments to launch an extensive awareness campaign on the dangers of drug abuse.
Public participation will be encouraged to ensure that communities actively contribute to eradicating the problem.
Top Brass in Attendance
The meeting saw the presence of Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena, DGP Dr. Atul Verma, and senior officials from Police, CID, Excise, and other departments.
With a six-month ticking clock, the government’s anti-drug offensive is now under scrutiny—will it clean up the state or end up as just another hollow promise?
