Kangra peddler dies after swallowing heroin packet to evade Himachal police; drug ruptures his intestines

A youth from Rakkar in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, who was an accused in a drugs case, died after swallowing a packet of chitta (synthetic heroin) to avoid arrest by the Barsar police in Hamirpur district.

The incident occurred on January 25 when the Barsar police team caught the accused with 15 grams of chitta. In a desperate attempt to escape, the accused swallowed the drug packet before officers could seize it.

Shortly afterward, his condition deteriorated, and he was rushed to AIIMS-Bilaspur for treatment. At AIIMS, doctors removed the drug packet from his stomach, but it had already ruptured his intestines, exposing his system to the toxic substance.

The synthetic drug severely damaged his kidneys and other vital organs, necessitating dialysis. Despite over a month of intensive care in the ICU, his health did not improve and he was eventually discharged. He passed away at home a short time later.

Hamirpur SP Bhagat Singh Thakur confirmed that the accused had previous cases under the NDPS Act (Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act). Since his condition remained critical, police could not formally arrest him.

The tragic incident highlights the deadly risks taken by drug peddlers to evade law enforcement, often with fatal consequences. Investigations into the case are ongoing, said a police official.

Sunil Chadha