Munish Sood
MANDI: In a remarkable display of vigilance and commitment to society, the members of Mahila Mandal Balbad at Janjehli in Seraj (Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh) played a crucial role in the arrest of two youths involved in drug trafficking.
Acting on suspicion, they helped the police apprehend the accused with a large consignment of chitta (heroin). The police recovered 38 grams of chitta from the suspects and have initiated further legal action.
The women of Jaisabeen Mahila Mandal, Balbad, demonstrated their intelligence and awareness by closely monitoring the suspects for over a week.
Speaking to The News Radar, Mahila Mandal pradhan Heera Mani revealed that the group had been suspicious of the youths for some time. Determined to uncover their activities, they decided to keep a watchful eye on them.
Their patience paid off when they spotted the suspects in a car parked near Kainchi Mod on Bhadwal-Ration Road in Janjehli. When the men remained inside the vehicle for an unusually long time, the women’s suspicion grew stronger. They immediately informed the local men and the police.
As soon as the police arrived, the suspects attempted to dispose of a polythene packet by throwing it into a nearby valley. However, the police recovered the packet and found 38 grams of chitta inside. Some of the drug spilled out as the accused tried to discard it.
Delay in police action sparks protest
Despite their swift action, the women accused the police of negligence. According to Heera Mani, they had detained the suspects around 12 pm and informed the police immediately.
However, the police arrived at the scene four to five hours late. Frustrated by the delay, the women mobilised villagers from Boongral Chowk gram panchayat to put pressure on the police.
The incident sparked a protest at the location, with locals expressing their anger over the delayed police response. A video of the confrontation, recorded by villagers, went viral on social media.
In the footage, women can be seen accusing the police of attempting to protect the suspects and forcing them to leave the site.
Authorities assure of strict action
As tensions escalated, the police took control of the situation and managed to disperse the crowd after assuring them that legal proceedings against the accused were underway.
The authorities, led by DSP Gauravjit Singh, reiterated their zero-tolerance policy against drug trafficking and confirmed the arrest of both suspects.
This incident highlights the growing role of community-led initiatives in tackling drug abuse, as well as the urgent need for efficient police action to support such efforts.
