Drug Crackdown in Himachal: NDPS Cases Up 28%, Over 8,000 Arrests and 36 Kg Chitta Seized
Himachal Pradesh is tightening its grip on drug networks, and the numbers tell the story. Over the past three years, the state has registered 5,642 NDPS cases, arrested 8,216 people, and seized more than 36 kg of chitta — a sharp 28% rise that reflects an aggressive campaign against narcotics.
Enforcement Gets Tougher
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu says the spike in cases isn’t a sign of worsening drug activity, but of stronger enforcement. Wider surveillance, closer coordination with central agencies, and tighter monitoring in sensitive panchayats have all contributed to the surge. CID and police personnel are now deployed at the grassroots to curb trafficking.
Beyond Policing: Helping the Youth
The government is pairing enforcement with rehabilitation.
- Counselling and treatment centres are being strengthened.
- Drug testing is now mandatory for all government recruitments.
- Anti-Drug Clubs and Prahari Clubs in schools and colleges are being made more active to spread awareness.
First-of-its-Kind Panchayat Classification
Himachal has become the first state in India to classify panchayats into red, yellow, and green zones based on drug vulnerability. Nearly 12,000 individuals linked to drug abuse or trafficking have already been identified, allowing quicker intervention.
Hitting Traffickers Where It Hurts
Action under the PIT-NDPS Act has intensified:
- 46 key traffickers detained
- ₹48 crore worth of illegal assets seized
- District administrations instructed to demolish properties acquired through the drug trade
Recent Operations
The crackdown has been relentless:
- Nov 17–18: Naka checks on 16,441 vehicles led to 13 NDPS cases.
- Nov 22: Raids at 121 locations targeted 10 major drug networks.
- Nov 25: Special operation across 41 campuses and 598 shops registered 12 cases and issued 385 challans.
A Call for Community Action
The Chief Minister has appealed to citizens, youth groups, Mahila Mandals, and Panchayati Raj representatives to join the fight. “Community cooperation is critical to safeguarding the younger generation,” he stressed, urging collective responsibility in the state’s anti-chitta campaign.
