CM Leads Statewide Walkathon to Combat ‘Chitta’; Launches Major Anti-Drug Movement in Himachal

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today launched a large-scale public movement against Chitta, marking the beginning of a decisive statewide campaign. He led the ‘Chitta-Virodh’ awareness Walkathon from the Ridge to Chaura Maidan in Shimla.

Thousands of children, public representatives, government officials, community leaders, and citizens from all walks of life participated. At the Ridge, the Chief Minister administered an oath urging people to stay away from drugs and all addictive substances.

Addressing the gathering at Chaura Maidan, the Chief Minister said the fight against Chitta would be a collective effort. Public participation, he stressed, would ensure that drug traffickers find no place to operate. He called this initiative a historic step toward eliminating drug kingpins and peddlers from the state.

“Creating a Chitta-Free Himachal is not just a government programme; it is a people’s movement,” he said, emphasising that this battle must echo beyond the mountains and inspire the entire nation.

He added that schools would serve not only as centres of learning, but also as spaces for safety and values. Appealing to women—especially mothers—to lead the movement, he said they could play a pivotal role in awakening society and strengthening this campaign.

The Chief Minister also urged religious institutions to speak out against drug abuse. “If all religious bodies unite against Chitta, no force can stop us from ending this menace,” he said.

Issuing a stern warning, he declared that those involved in the drug trade—who destroy the future of children and devastate families—will find no place in the land of the gods. “Our police are ready, our government is ready, and more importantly, our people are ready to root out Chitta,” he stated.

He reiterated that the goal was to create a Himachal where Chitta becomes a thing of the past. The drug, he said, has been silently harming culture, values and the future of children, and a powerful public movement has now begun to eradicate it.

The government’s anti-drug strategy is built on three pillars:

1. Awareness against drugs
2. Prevention, including strict action against drug mafias and empowering law-enforcement agencies
3. Rehabilitation for youth struggling with addiction

He stressed that addicted youth are not criminals—they need treatment, care and support.

Reaffirming a zero-tolerance policy, he stated that nobody involved in the trade would be spared, regardless of influence. Soon after taking office, the government implemented the PIT-NDPS Act to ensure repeated drug offenders are jailed.

New laws have been introduced for treatment, rehabilitation, and control of organised drug crimes, including provisions for the death penalty, life imprisonment, fines up to ₹10 lakh, and seizure of traffickers’ property.

The government will soon deploy a team of 1,000 Anti-Chitta Volunteers to act as a bridge between the public and the police. Police have already been directed to identify drug users and mafias at the panchayat level, a task now completed.

A Drug Prevention and Rehabilitation Board has been set up, and a new chapter on drug awareness will soon be added to the school curriculum.

After the walkathon, the Chief Minister interacted with students and participants, explaining the harmful effects of Chitta. He also met parents who lost their children to drugs and assured them full support.

Ministers Dr. (Col) Dhani Ram Shandil, Harshvardhan Chauhan, Rajesh Dharmani, Media Advisor to the CM Naresh Chauhan, Deputy Speaker Vinay Kumar, MLAs, the Mayor, religious leaders, senior officers, and prominent citizens took part in the event.