Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday sounded a strong clarion call against the menace of ‘chitta’ and drug abuse, leading a massive anti-drug awareness walkathon in Bilaspur as part of a State-wide public campaign to make Himachal Pradesh drug-free. The town resonated with powerful slogans against narcotics as students, public representatives, government officers and prominent citizens participated in large numbers, reflecting growing public resolve against the drug threat.
The walkathon, organised from Government Senior Secondary School (Boys) to Luhnu Ground, marked another significant milestone in the State’s expanding anti-drug movement. At the school ground, the Chief Minister administered a solemn oath, with participants pledging collective responsibility to eliminate chitta and other narcotic substances from Himachal Pradesh.
Addressing a large gathering at Luhnu Ground, the Chief Minister described chitta as a “slow poison” that destroys the future of youth, devastates families and exposes them to lifelong social stigma. He recalled that the mass movement against drug abuse was launched from the historic Ridge Maidan in Shimla on November 15 and subsequently taken to Dharamshala and Hamirpur, with Bilaspur emerging as a powerful centre of public mobilisation in the campaign.
Calling upon every section of society to join the fight, Sukhu placed special emphasis on the role of youth, stating that meaningful social change has always been led by young people. He expressed confidence that the youth of Himachal Pradesh would once again stand shoulder to shoulder with the government to eradicate drug abuse from the State.
To strengthen community participation, the Chief Minister announced the launch of an ‘Anti-Chitta Volunteer Scheme’ in the near future. Under the initiative, college and university students, NCC and NSS cadets, members of youth clubs and socially committed citizens will be trained as frontline volunteers to spread awareness and assist in prevention efforts.
Underlining that the government’s strategy goes beyond slogans and symbolic events, Sh. Sukhu said strict action was being taken against drug traffickers while simultaneously focusing on rehabilitation and recovery of victims. In this direction, he announced the release of ₹20 crore for a de-addiction and rehabilitation centre being developed at Kotla Barog in Sirmaur district.
Sharing details of enforcement measures, the Chief Minister said that during a State-wide ‘Naka’ campaign held from November 17 to 19, as many as 208 checkpoints were established and nearly 28,000 vehicles were checked, resulting in several NDPS cases and 33 arrests. He added that simultaneous search operations conducted at 124 locations on November 22 led to the registration of nine NDPS cases and nine arrests, while a special drive around educational institutions on December 25 resulted in 12 cases and 385 challans.
He further informed that the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs (PIT-NDPS) Act was being effectively enforced to detain habitual offenders. Action has so far been initiated against 66 criminals under PIT and NDPS provisions, including the detention of 19 notorious chitta traffickers on December 6 and 19.
The Chief Minister said the government was also cracking down on illegal properties created using drug money. Of the 72 identified cases of encroachment and illegal construction, action has been completed in 14 cases, while proceedings in the remaining cases are underway. He added that inspections of pharmaceutical manufacturing units were being intensified to curb illegal production and distribution of psychotropic drugs.
Emphasising a community-driven approach, Sukhu said meetings have been held in 234 drug-affected panchayats to strengthen local intelligence, awareness and preventive mechanisms, reaffirming the government’s commitment to a comprehensive and people-led fight against drug abuse.
Nurturing Creativity – Keekli Charitable Trust, Shimla
