SHIMLA: As chitta spreads across India and destroys young lives Himachal Pradesh police, with public support has launched a hard and visible fight against contraband drugs.
The state government under Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has declared zero tolerance against narcotics and organised gangs.
Police data shows that under the NDPS Act possession of 250 grams or more of heroin is a commercial offence with a minimum 10 years jail term heavy fine denial of bail and seizure of property.
DGP Ashok Tiwari IPS said chitta is not just a crime but a direct threat to youth families and the future of Himachal Pradesh.
He said police are targeting traffickers financiers and organised gangs through strong investigation financial action and preventive detention.
Himachal is not a drug producing state for heroin but its roads tourism and borders make it a vulnerable transit and consumption corridor.
Even as charas is produced in notorious pockets of Kullu Mandi and parts of Shimla chitta and synthetic drugs are being pumped in from outside states.
Police sources admit that chitta supply chains are linked to Punjab Haryana Delhi NCR and western Uttar Pradesh.
The police have yet to fully dismantle drug traders operating inside Shimla city who double up as shopkeepers and local contacts.
Investigators say students in senior secondary schools colleges and coaching centres are the main targets.
New Shimla and Chotta Shimla where coaching institutes are mushrooming have emerged as high risk zones for drug peddling.
To counter this the state has set up district NDPS cells trained officers and fast track prosecution systems.
Police are also attaching properties of drug accused under Sections 68A to 68Z of the NDPS Act.
The government has announced cash rewards to involve citizens in enforcement.
Rewards range from ₹10,000 for seizures up to 2 grams to ₹5 lakh for seizures above 1 kg while organised gang information carries rewards of ₹2 lakh or more.
The helpline number is 112 and police assure full protection of informer identity.
DGP Ashok Tiwari said policing alone is not enough and public participation is crucial to defeat drugs.
Statewide anti chitta walkathons held in Shimla Dharamshala and Hamirpur have turned awareness into a mass movement.
But can the police sustain this movement. So far only small times peddlers carrying small quantities are being caught daily. Where are the big fish, ask the public, who is supporting the movement.
Police say traffickers will face strict punishment while users will be guided towards treatment and rehabilitation.
Himachal’s message is clear drugs will not be tolerated and silence will not be accepted. The drive should not be confined to walkathons only. It should target the big fish even is they have political connections.
#ChittaUnderAttack #DrugFreeHimachal #SaveOurStudents #PoliceAndPeople
