Nasha Nivaran Samitis set up in 70% panchayats

Tribune News Service

Shimla, October 15

Going a step ahead to combat drug menace in the state, Himachal Police has constituted Nasha Nivaran Samitis in about 70 per cent of the total 3,226 panchayats. Cannabis and opium use is not new in Himachal but tackling chitta abuse among the youth has become a major challenge in the state.

Supply of chitta is reaching villages and locals are involved in peddling of drugs in the state. A large number of persons have been arrested under the NDPS Act in rural areas.

As many as 500 panchayats in the state are directly or indirectly involved in opium and cannabis cultivation. It being lucrative though illegal business locals are falling prey to it, says member, Institute of Narcotics Studies and Analysis (INSA) and former Superintendent of Narcotics Control Bureau (Chandigarh division) O P Sharma who has worked intensively in the area.

“As drug abuse is not restricted to urban areas, we have constituted Nasha Nivaran Samitis at panchayat level and about 70 per cent of the panchayats have been roped in”, said DGP S R Mardi adding these samitis would work in the direction of making Himachal drug free. Community participation is essential in eradication of social evils like drugs.

“Women folk have come forward in villages and the response is good. The cases of anti-social elements involved in peddling, drug abusers, cultivation of cannabis and opium is being reported by the public”, he said.

Efforts are being made to keep youth away from drugs, make general public aware of the adverse fallout of drugs, collect information about people associated with drug trafficking and cultivation of cannabis, poppy and opium etc. and help in destroying the plantations of these narcotic substances. The membership of the samitis would be voluntary but no person involved or facing charges of illegal or immoral activities would be made member, he added.