MANDI (Munish Sood)
Himachal Pradesh, once known for its serene landscapes and peaceful life, is now grappling with a growing drug crisis that has drawn comparisons to Punjab’s infamous ‘Udta Punjab’ era.
The latest incident in Mandi district has only intensified concerns as a 25-year-old man was found dead due to a suspected drug overdose, marking the third such fatality in just 15 days across the state.
Shocking discovery in Mandi’s Khiyuri village
The tragic incident occurred on Monday near the Radha Soami Satsang Bhawan in Khiyuri village, part of the Balh sub-division in Mandi district.
The deceased, Ajay Kumar from Rigar village (Rajgarh), was discovered lying face-down in suspicious circumstances.
A syringe was found clutched in his hand and nearby, the police recovered a bag and empty bottles, all pointing towards a fatal overdose.
A local herder first noticed Ajay’s body while grazing animals in the nearby Khiyuri forest. He promptly alerted Hansraj, the head of Kaihar panchayat, and villagers quickly gathered at the scene.
The police from Balh were called in, and upon investigation, Ajay was declared dead.
Balh DSP Dinesh Kumar confirmed that forensic samples had been sent for analysis to determine the precise cause of death.
Pattern of rising drug deaths in Mandi
Ajay Kumar’s death is not an isolated incident but part of a disturbing trend sweeping across Himachal Pradesh.
Just weeks earlier, a young man died of a drug overdose in a hotel in Solan. Around the same time, another youth from Anni in Kullu district also lost his life in a similar way.
Public outrage has been growing, with protests erupting in towns like Luhri and Anni, demanding stricter law enforcement and a crackdown on drug trafficking networks.
Mandi district, in particular, has been at the centre of this escalating crisis.
In December 2024, a 26-year-old man was discovered dead inside a public restroom at Indira Market in Mandi town, also suspected to be a drug overdose death.
Earlier that year, a 19-year-old student was found dead under similar circumstances.
Concrete steps needed to curb drug trafficking
The frequency and severity of these cases have exposed the challenges faced by local authorities in combating drug trafficking and abuse.
In 2024 alone, Mandi police registered 210 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, arresting 271 persons, including 11 women. Significant seizures were made, including 48.69 kg of cannabis, 642 gm of opium, 6.09 gm of smack, and 8.23 kg of poppy husk. Moreover, nearly 2 lakh poppy plants and over 9 lakh cannabis plants were destroyed during operations.
However, despite these efforts, the drug menace continues to expand. Statewide, over 5,300 drug-related cases have been registered in the past three years, with more than 8,000 individuals arrested.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has expressed grave concern over the situation, revealing in the Vidhan Sabha that the state is pushing for stricter legal provisions to curb the growing drug problem.
The government is seeking amendments to the NDPS Act, 1985, to facilitate harsher punishments for traffickers and users alike.
