Himachal Steps Up Fight Against Chitta: Statewide Awareness Drive, Strict Enforcement Announced
Anti Chitta campaign, phase-II to commence from 1st June
31 government employees including 21 Police personnel dismissed from service
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Tuesday reaffirmed his government’s resolve to completely eliminate the menace of chitta (synthetic drugs) from Himachal Pradesh, announcing the launch of the second phase of the massive Anti-Chitta Awareness Campaign from 1 June to 20 August 2026. He was presiding over a meeting of NCORD (Narco Coordination Centre).
The Chief Minister said the campaign would be conducted intensively in all government schools and colleges across the state. To ensure direct engagement with students, he directed administrative and police officers to visit at least 10 educational institutions each in their respective areas and personally educate young people about the harmful effects of drug abuse.
CM Sukhu made it clear that pharmaceutical companies and medical shops would be strictly monitored to prevent any diversion of medicines for illegal use. He warned that licenses of shops found selling drugs illegally would be cancelled immediately, and any lapse in manufacturing or distribution norms would be dealt with firmly.
Terming chitta a serious threat to society, the Chief Minister said the government is fully committed to eradicating it to ensure a safe and healthy environment. In a strong administrative move, he announced that numerical grading will be introduced in the Annual Confidential Reports (ACRs) of Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police, linking their performance to effective control of drug abuse and implementation of the Anti-Chitta campaign. He also instructed Deputy Commissioners to hold regular review meetings and directed authorities to ensure timely disposal of seized vehicles and liquor to avoid unnecessary stockpiling.
To speed up legal proceedings, CM Sukhu ordered that forensic reports in chitta cases be prepared within five days. He asked police officers to maintain continuous surveillance on drug trafficking networks and called for demolition of illegally encroached properties belonging to drug smugglers. District administrations were also instructed to map repeat offenders for focused action.
Addressing the media after the meeting, the Chief Minister said that since assuming office, the Congress government has taken strict action against drug peddlers, while simultaneously focusing on rehabilitation of victims. He pointed out that anti-chitta testing has been made mandatory for recruitment in all government departments and for admissions to professional colleges. Calling chitta “not just a drug problem but an attack on our youth, families and the future of the state,” he said the government would leave no stone unturned to defeat this menace.
Recalling the launch of the ‘Anti-Chitta Jan Aandolan’ on 15 November 2025 through a walkathon from Ridge, Shimla, CM Sukhu said the campaign has now transformed into a people’s movement. “The fight against drugs is being carried out simultaneously on all fronts—enforcement, supply reduction, demand reduction and harm reduction,” he said.
The Chief Minister revealed that around 12,000 individuals have been identified and special police and CID surveillance has been deployed in 234 highly sensitive panchayats across the state. District-wise, these include panchayats in Shimla, Solan, Sirmaur, Baddi, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kullu, Mandi, Kangra, Chamba, Nurpur, Dehra and Una.
Sharing enforcement data, CM Sukhu said that from 2023 till date, 6,811 NDPS cases have been registered—33.18 per cent higher than during the previous government’s tenure. During this period, 10,357 accused have been arrested and 45,867 kilograms of narcotics, including chitta, seized. He added that 174 drug traffickers have been detained under the PIT-NDPS Act, making Himachal Pradesh number one in the country in preventive action against drug kingpins.
To hit the financial backbone of the drug trade, the government has seized illegal assets worth nearly ₹51 crore over the past three-and-a-half years—almost three times more than the previous regime. The Special Task Force (STF) examined over 700 cases, leading to financial investigations in 300 cases, identification of 76 illegal properties, and demolition or eviction action in 17 cases.
CM Sukhu also underlined the government’s zero-tolerance policy for corruption within the system. Action has been taken against 123 government employees and police personnel involved in drug-related activities, including the dismissal of 10 state employees and 21 police personnel.
Stressing rehabilitation alongside enforcement, the Chief Minister said that youth willing to quit drugs are being connected with treatment, counselling and rehabilitation facilities. A rehabilitation centre at Mashobra (Shimla) will become functional on 20 May, while another centre at Dr Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College, Tanda, will be operational soon.
On the occasion, CM Sukhu honoured Gaurav Singh (SP Shimla), Renu Sharma (ASP Una) and ASI Parul Nainta for their outstanding work in financial investigations under the PIT-NDPS Act.
Senior leaders and officials including Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh, Principal Advisor (Media) Naresh Chauhan, Chief Secretary Sanjay Gupta, ACS Home K.K. Pant, DGP Ashok Tiwari and other senior officers were present.
