Sunil Chadha
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu reaffirmed the state’s commitment to eradicating drug trafficking and addiction during a regional conference on ‘Drug Trafficking and National Security’ chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi.
Participating virtually from his home constituency Nadaun where he is on an official tour, CM Sukhu highlighted the state’s proactive measures and legislative reforms to combat the escalating drug menace.
Rise in trafficking of synthetic drugs, heroin
Emphasising the gravity of the issue, he noted a 340% rise in NDPS cases over the last decade, with synthetic drugs and heroin contributing significantly.
Addressing the conference, the Chief Minister said that the registration of NDPS cases had risen by 340 per cent over the last decade, escalating from approximately 500 cases in 2012 to 2,200 cases in 2023.
Additionally, the percentage of cases involving heroin had doubled, rising from 29 per cent in 2020 to 50 per cent in 2024. He noted a troubling trend towards synthetic drugs, which were not only more potent and addictive but also harder to control due to their chemical composition.
He emphasised the necessity of a comprehensive approach to tackle drug trafficking, particularly in interstate border areas, which have become hotspots for illicit activities.
The Chief Minister said that the state government had begun invoking the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PIT-NDPS) Act, which had remained unused in the past.
This Act enabled the detention of repeat offenders involved in drug trafficking, thereby safeguarding public safety, he said.
Legal loopholes misused for bail tightened
He said that the state legislature had amended Section 37 of the NDPS Act, 1985, to close legal loopholes that allowed habitual offenders to secure bail.
This amendment has strengthened the legal framework, making it more stringent and deterrent. Sukhu said that Himachal Pradesh had confiscated illegally acquired properties worth Rs 16 crore over the last three years, including Rs 9 crore in the past year alone.
Special task force dedicated to narcotics, drug crimes
“The state is also setting up a special task force (STF) dedicated to narcotics and drug-related crimes, which will have specialised resources, autonomy and dedicated police stations to intensify operations against drug networks,” he added.
Sukhu underscored the importance of national and international collaboration to dismantle trafficking networks, particularly in border areas.
Expressing the need for a compassionate rehabilitation framework, he stressed that addiction victims should be treated as patients, not criminals.
“Our mission is to create a drug-free Himachal Pradesh while upholding the values of peace, harmony and security,” the CM concluded.