Himachal Pradesh News
Himachal Pradesh News : ‘Public participation key to eradicating chitta from Himachal,’ says CM Sukhu
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu launched a statewide anti-chitta campaign, stressing public participation, strict enforcement and rehabilitation measures, even as delayed walkathon arrangements caused traffic disruption.
The Himachal Pradesh government is fully committed to eradicating the menace of “chitta” from the state, and public participation is vital to achieving this goal, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said while addressing thousands of students and citizens during an anti-chitta awareness walkathon here on Tuesday.
Leading the walkathon, the Chief Minister formally launched a statewide mass movement against the synthetic drug that has been wreaking havoc among the youth. The walkathon commenced from the Government Senior Secondary School (Boys) and culminated at the Police Lines, Dosadka Ground, witnessing enthusiastic participation from students, officials, public representatives and residents. On the occasion, Sukhu also administered an oath, calling upon people to collectively pledge to eliminate “chitta” and other narcotics from the state.
Describing the anti-drug drive as a decisive battle, the Chief Minister said the government was determined to uproot the “chitta termite” through strict law enforcement, the use of advanced technology, a strengthened intelligence network and focused action against traffickers, suppliers and those shielding them. He emphasised that the fight against drugs was not merely an administrative exercise but a people’s movement to safeguard Himachal’s social fabric.
Highlighting recent enforcement action, Sukhu said simultaneous raids conducted on November 22 at 121 locations had dealt a major blow to organised drug networks. Further inspections on November 25 across 51 institutions and 598 locations led to the registration of 12 NDPS cases and the issuance of 385 challans. On December 7, as many as 16 traffickers were arrested under the NDPS Act, taking the total number of arrests to 63, while 1,214 suspected drug suppliers were identified. He added that 950 illegal properties linked to drug kingpins had been targeted and assets worth over Rs 50 crore seized across the state.
Outlining a comprehensive strategy, the Chief Minister said new de-addiction centres would be established and a Drug De-addiction Board constituted to strengthen rehabilitation and prevention efforts. He informed that 234 anti-drug committees had already been formed in high-risk panchayats. Encouraging citizens to share information, Sukhu announced rewards ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 10 lakh for whistle-blowers.
The event also featured cultural performances, with the police band Harmony of Pines performing at the school ground, while the Home Guards band entertained the crowd at Gandhi Chowk. Technical Education Minister Rajesh Dharmani, Political Adviser to the CM Sunil Sharma Bittu, MLAs Suresh Kumar and Ranjit Singh, Chief Secretary Sanjay Gupta, DGP Ashok Tiwari and other senior officials were present.
Delayed walkathon leads to traffic disruption
However, the delayed commencement of the walkathon led to traffic congestion and inconvenience for commuters across the town. Despite prior advisories warning of possible delays of 30 to 45 minutes due to traffic diversions, vehicular movement remained disrupted for over one-and-a-half to two hours at several locations.
The prolonged restrictions caused hardship to women commuters and patients travelling to the medical college and hospital. While police personnel allowed ambulances through restricted routes, many patients were compelled to walk for 20 to 30 minutes to reach the hospital.
Sushma, who had travelled from Nadaun, said her bus was diverted to the NH bypass and dropped her at the Nalti Glore road junction, from where no further transport was available. Though appreciative of the anti-chitta initiative, she said better arrangements should have been made for patients and people coming from distant areas. Ramesh Kumar from Bhota said he reached Dosarka but had to walk nearly one-and-a-half kilometres to reach a clinical laboratory near the government hospital.
Traffic disruptions were also reported at Hira Nagar Chowk and Anu Chowk on the outskirts of the town, where frustrated commuters were seen arguing with police personnel, fearing delays to their workplaces.
Superintendent of Police Balbir Singh Thakur said traffic diversions were implemented in view of the walkathon and the public had been urged to cooperate. He added that normal traffic movement was restored immediately after the rally concluded at the police ground.
