SHIMLA: A statewide crackdown on the drug menace has intensified in Himachal Pradesh, with Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today announcing the launch of the second phase of the Anti-Chitta campaign from June 1 to August 20 across all government schools and colleges in the state.
Presiding over a high-level NCORD meeting in Shimla on Monday, the Chief Minister said the government would adopt a zero-tolerance policy against drug trafficking and abuse, while also tightening the noose around officials found hand-in-glove with the drug mafia.
In one of the toughest actions taken so far, the government has dismissed 31 employees from service, including 21 police personnel, for their alleged involvement in drug-related activities. Altogether, action has been initiated against 123 government employees and police officials.
“Chitta is not merely a drug problem. It is a direct attack on our youth, families and the future of Himachal Pradesh,” Sukhu said while addressing the media after the meeting.
The Chief Minister said administrative and police officers would personally visit educational institutions during the awareness campaign to educate students about the devastating effects of drugs. Each officer has been directed to cover at least 10 institutions in their jurisdiction.
The government has also decided to include numerical grading in the Annual Confidential Reports (ACRs) of Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police based on their performance in controlling the drug menace and implementing the anti-chitta campaign.
In a major policy push, Sukhu said anti-chitta testing has been made mandatory for recruitment in all government departments and for admissions to professional colleges.
The Chief Minister said forensic reports in drug cases must now be prepared within five days to ensure speedy investigation and trial. He also directed authorities to demolish illegally encroached properties belonging to drug smugglers and ordered mapping of repeat offenders.
Highlighting the scale of the crackdown, Sukhu said that from 2023 till now, 6,811 NDPS cases have been registered in the state — 33.18 percent higher than during the previous BJP government’s tenure. During this period, 10,357 accused have been arrested and 45,867 kilograms of narcotics, including chitta, seized.
The government has also intensified financial investigations into the drug trade. Illegal assets worth nearly Rs 51 crore linked to drug trafficking have been seized over the last three-and-a-half years.
The STF has examined more than 700 cases and shortlisted 300 for financial investigation and property freezing. So far, 76 illegal properties have been identified, while demolition and eviction action has already been initiated in 17 cases.
Sukhu claimed Himachal Pradesh now ranks first in the country in preventive action under the PIT-NDPS Act. A total of 174 drug traffickers and kingpins have been detained under the Act, while the previous BJP government allegedly failed to invoke it during its five-year tenure.
The Chief Minister said nearly 12,000 individuals linked to drug activities have been identified and special police and CID surveillance has been deployed in 234 highly sensitive panchayats across the state.
Among the districts and police zones identified as highly vulnerable are Shimla, Solan, Sirmaur, Baddi, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kullu, Mandi, Kangra, Chamba, Nurpur, Dehra and Una.
The government is simultaneously strengthening rehabilitation efforts. Sukhu announced that a rehabilitation centre at Mashobra in Shimla district would become functional from May 20, while another facility at Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College would start shortly.
The Chief Minister also honoured Gaurav Singh, Renu Sharma and Parul Nainta for exemplary work in financial investigations under the PIT-NDPS Act.
Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh, Chief Secretary Sanjay Gupta and DGP Ashok Tiwari were among those present at the meeting.
