Shimla/Dharamshala:
The Chitta menace in Himachal Pradesh has turned into a frightening public health crisis, with 30–50 mentally distressed victims arriving every week at the psychiatric department of IGMC, Shimla.
Families are fighting silent battles inside their homes, teachers are losing sleep over vulnerable students, and entire neighbourhoods fear that the shadow of synthetic drugs is creeping closer each day.
Amid this situation, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday announced a cash reward between ₹10,000 and ₹4,00,000 for anyone who provides specific, credible information about Chitta smugglers, suppliers, or anyone linked to the drug chain. The government, he declared, is ready to strike hard.
The announcement came during a massive Walkathon in Dharamshala — the second leg of the campaign — where over one lakh ITI trainees, college and school students, NGOs, NCC cadets, local groups and citizens marched through the town, taking a collective pledge to fight the rising tide of Chitta in Himachal.
Crowds swayed to the tunes of the Harmony of Pines Orchestra of the Himachal Pradesh Police, which infused the rally with energy and emotion, turning it into both a protest and a people’s movement.
Last week, the first leg of the Walkathon on Shimla’s Ridge saw thousands join in, reinforcing the growing public outrage and the call for a sustained war against drugs.
This is a people’s war against Chitta”
Sukhu said the state has declared an all-out war against Chitta and its suppliers.
“All information will be treated as sacred. Every informer will be protected,” he assured, urging citizens to step up without fear.
He emphasised that this battle demands unified strength from police, public, NGOs, educational institutions and village communities.
“This is not just an issue for the police. This is a fight for our children and our future,” he said.
Behind the statistics lie gut-wrenching stories: Teenagers slipping into psychosis after repeated abuse.Families selling land for treatment. Children as young as 14 being trapped by peddlers.Parents living in constant fear of relapse
Doctors say the surge in psychiatric cases linked to Chitta is unprecedented and deeply worrying.
Public Demand: Finish the Chain, Save the Children
Across the state, the sentiment is growing louder: Hit the supply chain relentlessly.
Punish smugglers with zero leniency
Create community vigilance networks
Strengthen coordination among police, NGOs and locals.Finish the chain. Save the children. Don’t let this momentum fade,” said an NGO worker in Kangra.
The cycle continues — awareness drives, public marches, crackdowns, and then new victims.
But this time the Walkathon — energised by students, citizens, and the Harmony of Pines orchestra — has injected fresh determination into the movement.
With the new reward system, the government hopes to break open the secretive network spreading Chitta across the hills.
Himachal now stands at a crucial crossroads: act today with full force, or risk losing another generation.
#StopChitta #SaveHimachalYouth #WarAgainstDrugs #BreakTheChain
