State to Launch ‘Anti-Chitta’ Campaign from Shimla on November 15

Three-month drive aims to eliminate drug menace through community participation and strict enforcement

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Saturday announced that the Himachal Pradesh government will launch a decisive campaign to eradicate chitta (a synthetic drug) from the state. The initiative will begin on November 15 with a massive ‘Anti-Chitta’ rally from Shimla’s historic Ridge to Chaura Maidan.

Chairing a high-level meeting, the Chief Minister said the rally would mark the start of a three-month-long statewide campaign against drug abuse. “This will be a people’s movement against chitta,” he said, adding that legislators, prominent citizens, students, and people from all walks of life will take part in the drive.

Sukhu said he would personally monitor the campaign at the state level, ensuring coordination among government representatives, police, departments, volunteers, and educational institutions. The initiative will focus equally on awareness, prevention, and strict enforcement, he added.

The Chief Minister directed the formation of a special cell within the Police Department to intensify action against the chitta network. District and sub-divisional rallies will also be organized to ensure the campaign reaches the grassroots.

Highlighting the groundwork done by the police, Sukhu said the most affected panchayats have already been identified, and special attention will be given to these areas. College students will be trained as anti-chitta volunteers to help raise awareness.

To strengthen the fight locally, the government has issued a notification to set up seven-member anti-narcotics committees at the panchayat level. These committees will hold monthly meetings, monitor drug-related activities, and share reports with law enforcement agencies. They will also run awareness programs in schools and public spaces in coordination with district administrations.

“The fight against chitta will be waged collectively—from the state headquarters to the remotest villages,” Sukhu emphasized, calling the campaign a decisive step toward a drug-free Himachal Pradesh.