TNR News Network
Shimla
The Himachal Pradesh Police have stepped up their battle against the synthetic drug ‘chitta’, launching a coordinated statewide crackdown as part of its zero-tolerance stance on narcotics.
Acting on directives issued by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the Himachal Pradesh Police on Saturday detained 16 alleged major drug traffickers under the PIT-NDPS Act during simultaneous operations across multiple districts.
According to officials, those detained include four each from Solan and Dehra, three from Baddi, two from Nurpur, and one each from Hamirpur, Mandi and Sirmaur.
With the latest action, the total number of detentions under the Act has climbed to 62 since its enforcement in 2023. Parallel financial probes have so far resulted in the seizure of illegal assets worth nearly Rs 48 crore, the police said.
The crackdown follows high-visibility public awareness campaigns led by the Chief Minister, including Anti-Chitta Walkathons organised in Shimla on November 15 and Dharamshala on December 1. The police say the events were aimed at rallying community participation and projecting the fight against drugs as a shared social responsibility rather than only a policing challenge.
A detailed review of operations was also conducted recently during the 6th State-Level NCORD meeting at Tapovan in Dharamshala, the first time a Himachal Chief Minister chaired the coordination forum. Sukhu directed officials to convert the campaign into a “people’s movement” and accelerate action against syndicates believed to be penetrating deep into rural and urban pockets.
The police have urged citizens, especially the youth, to report drug-related information through helpline 112 or the nearest police station. Authorities have assured that identities of informers would be kept strictly confidential.
Maintaining that dismantling the chitta network is now a priority, the police said it is committed to pursuing tougher enforcement, financial tracking and public participation to “eradicate the menace from its roots”.
