‘Chitta-free Himachal’ drive gains momentum

Continuing its intensified crackdown against drug abuse, the Himachal Pradesh Police conducted a special and intensive state-level operation across multiple districts, registering nine cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The coordinated drive was carried out simultaneously at identified vulnerable locations throughout the state as part of the government’s wider anti-drug campaign.

During the operation, police teams inspected 254 deserted and semi-public locations and checked 596 vehicles across districts including Solan, Kinnaur, Sirmaur, Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh, Mandi, Kullu, Lahaul and Spiti, Hamirpur, Bilaspur, Kangra, Nurpur, Dehra, Chamba and Una. A total of 301 individuals were checked and counselled as part of preventive and corrective measures aimed at curbing substance abuse.

As per legal procedures, blood and urine samples of nine individuals were collected for examination. Persons found at isolated or deserted locations were appropriately counselled, documented and, where required, handed over to their family members after due verification, police officials said.

Director General of Police (DGP) Ashok Tewari said the drive involved extensive inspections and thorough searches at secluded hill slopes, forest patches, abandoned buildings, vacant rooms, parking areas, river banks, old bus stands, garage sheds and other locations frequently misused for drug-related activities. He described the operation as systematic, intelligence-based and backed by strong inter-district coordination to ensure lawful and effective enforcement.

The DGP said the operation was part of the statewide anti-chitta movement launched on November 15, 2025, by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, aimed at realising the vision of a “Chitta-free Himachal”. The core objective, he added, was to prevent young people from falling into drug addiction and to dismantle group-based drug use at secluded locations that often serve as entry points into substance abuse.

Appealing to the public, especially the youth, Tewari urged citizens to share information related to chitta or other drug activities by dialling 112 or contacting the nearest police station, assuring that the identity of informants would be kept strictly confidential.