Bilaspur Mobilizes for Statewide Anti-Drug Initiative
Chief Minister Leads Anti-Drug Awareness Walkathon
In a significant show of support, Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu spearheaded a large anti-drug awareness walkathon in Bilaspur today, part of a broader state campaign against the drug known as 'Chitta'. The event, which began at the Government Senior Secondary School (Boys) and concluded at Luhnu Ground, saw enthusiastic participation from students, local leaders, officials, and community members.
During the event, the Chief Minister led participants in a solemn pledge to work together to eradicate chitta and other narcotics from Himachal Pradesh.
Speaking to a large crowd at Luhnu Ground, Sukhu referred to chitta as a 'slow poison' that is ruining the lives of youth and damaging families, while also causing social stigma. He highlighted that the state government initiated a mass anti-drug campaign from the historic Ridge Maidan in Shimla on November 15, with subsequent events in Dharamshala and Hamirpur, marking Bilaspur as another key location in this movement.
Sukhu urged all segments of society, particularly the youth, to engage actively in combating drug abuse, expressing confidence that the young people of Himachal Pradesh would unite with the government to achieve a drug-free state.
He announced the upcoming launch of an 'Anti-Chitta Volunteer Scheme', aimed at training college and university students, NCC and NSS cadets, youth club members, and socially aware citizens as frontline volunteers in the anti-drug campaign.
The Chief Minister stressed that the government's strategy extends beyond mere slogans and symbolic gestures, emphasizing ongoing strict actions against drug traffickers and focused rehabilitation efforts for victims. He revealed that Rs. 20 crore has been allocated for a de-addiction and rehabilitation center being established in Kotla Barog, Sirmaur district.
Regarding enforcement, he shared that during a state-wide 'Naka' campaign from November 17 to 19, 208 checkpoints were established, leading to the inspection of nearly 28,000 vehicles and the registration of several NDPS cases, resulting in 33 arrests. On November 22, simultaneous operations at 124 locations led to nine NDPS cases and arrests.
Sukhu noted that the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs (PIT-NDPS) Act is being effectively utilized to detain habitual offenders, with actions taken against 66 individuals under PIT and NDPS provisions, including 19 known chitta traffickers detained on December 6 and 19. He also mentioned ongoing actions against illegal properties linked to drug money, with 14 out of 72 identified cases of encroachment and illegal construction already addressed.
Inspections of pharmaceutical manufacturing units are also being conducted to prevent the illegal production and distribution of psychotropic drugs. Community-based strategies are being enhanced through meetings in 234 drug-affected panchayats to bolster local intelligence, awareness, and prevention efforts.
The event was attended by various dignitaries, including Town and Country Planning and Technical Education Minister Rajesh Dharmani, former Minister Ram Lal Thakur, former MLAs Tilak Raj and Bambar Thakur, Co-Convenor of the State Drug Abuse Prevention Board Sanjay Bhardwaj, Director General of Police Ashok Tiwari, Deputy Commissioner Rahul Kumar, and Superintendent of Police Sandeep Dhawal.