41 educational institutions searched under anti-chitta drive

The Himachal Pradesh Police registered 12 cases of irregularities in educational institutions and in their surrounding areas and issued 385 challans during a statewide special campaign and search operation. The search was conducted in 41 educational institutions and 598 shops and kiosks and on vendors located around educational institutions in all 12 districts of the state.

The campaign was part of a ongoing statewide drive against ‘chitta’ (heroin). During the operation, the police issued preventive guidelines to the institutions, besides formulating an action plan to further enhance security on campuses.

DGP Ashok Tewari said that the primary objective of the campaign was to ensure a drug-free environment on the campuses of educational institutions, hostels and in surrounding areas and safeguard the youth from any form of drug-related exposure or challenges. He added, “The search operation was conducted in a transparent and organised manner with active cooperation of the management and the staff of the institutions.”

He said, “Special focus was laid on hostels, residential blocks, parking areas and other locations where narcotic substances can be concealed. An important component of the operation involved checking the mobile phones of students as well as residents staying in hostels and other residential facilities to detect any digital links, transactions or suspicious content related to drugs. This process was carried out strictly in accordance with legal procedures and under the supervision of the institutional authorities.”

“The police also conducted extensive searches and verification of shops, kiosks, vendors and local taxis operating near educational institutions. The objective of the campaign was to identify possible supply chains, illegal distribution networks or suspected substances being provided to students. Wherever necessary, immediate legal action was taken and profiling of suspicious individuals was done,” he added.

The DGP said, “During the operation, several new sensitive points were identified. Students were also made aware of the harmful effects and consequences of drug abuse. The Himachal Pradesh Police remains firmly committed to its zero-tolerance policy against drugs and is determined to ensure that educational campuses remain safe, clean and completely drug-free.”

He also appealed to the students, parents and institutions to immediately report any suspicious activity to their nearest police station or the toll-free helpline so that the youth could be protected from the harmful effects of drug abuse.