Himachal Pradesh News
Himachal Police Detain 16 Key Chitta Traffickers in Major Statewide Crackdown
In one of the biggest coordinated crackdowns in recent months, Himachal Pradesh Police detained 16 major chitta traffickers under the PIT-NDPS Act. With 62 total detentions so far, the state intensifies its zero-tolerance drive against drug networks.
In one of the biggest coordinated operations in recent months, the Himachal Pradesh Police today detained 16 key chitta traffickers under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PIT-NDPS) Act, 1988. The synchronised crackdown was executed simultaneously across several districts, targeting deeply entrenched drug networks.
Officials confirmed that four traffickers each were detained from Solan and Police District Dehra, three from Baddi, two from Nurpur and one each from Hamirpur, Mandi and Sirmaur. With these latest detentions, the total number of individuals held under the PIT-NDPS Act in Himachal Pradesh has risen to 62.
Director General of Police (DGP) Ashok Tewari said that since the Act was implemented in the state in 2023, police have detained 46 major drug traffickers and seized illegal assets worth ₹48 crore through parallel financial investigations. He reiterated that the state government and police remain firmly committed to a zero-tolerance stance on narcotics.
As part of the wider anti-drug awareness campaign, anti-chitta walkathons were organised in Shimla on November 15 and in Dharamsala on December 1. The Chief Minister has issued strong directions to all police units and allied agencies to work aggressively to eliminate chitta from the state.
The DGP added that during the recently held 6th State-Level NCORD meeting in Dharamsala — chaired for the first time by the Chief Minister — an extensive review of ongoing anti-drug operations was conducted. The Chief Minister stressed the need to turn the campaign into a statewide public movement.
Appealing for community cooperation, the police urged citizens, particularly the youth, to report drug-related information through helpline 112 or at local police stations, assuring complete confidentiality of all informants.
