Panchayats join war against ‘chitta’, demand strict action on suppliers

Gram panchayats are gradually joining the fight against 'chitta.' Over the past few weeks, several panchayats across different districts have passed resolutions to socially boycott both the sellers and consumers of 'chitta' and deny them access to panchayat services. The latest panchayat to take this step is Ghoond Gram Panchayat in the Theog block of Shimla district. "Anyone found consuming or selling chitta will be excluded from the BPL scheme, their ration cards will be revoked and they will not receive certificates issued by the panchayat," said CR Chandel, up-pradhan of Ghoond Gram Panchayat.

Chandel said they were forced to take this initiative following the frightening spread of this vice. “People are scared for their children. A few days back there was a report that children made their own parents addicted to ‘chitta’. Such developments are very disturbing and now, people want to take action at their level as well,” said Chandel.

Palchan Gram Panchayat of Kullu district also passed a similar resolution on Saturday. “Apart from debarring such people from availing panchayat services, we have decided to socially boycott individuals selling ‘chitta’ and such substances. We will stop their ‘hooka-pani’ and they will no longer be part of the village socially,” said Koushalaya Devi. To make this fight against ‘chitta’ successful, most people demand that the individuals caught with the drug should not be given bail easily. The grouse of the locals is that the smugglers get bail quite easily and they get back into the business as soon as they are out.

Shimla SP Sanjeev Gandhi explained that traffickers exploit the quantity-based classification of the drugs to minimise their punishment. “We need broader amendments to close this loophole for those supplying highly addictive drugs. The punishment is vis-à-vis the quantity recovered from the accused. The traffickers carry only that much quantity which allows them to get a bail or escape with light punishment. We are shortly moving bail cancellation applications in 70 cases,” said Gandhi.

“We need a larger amendment to shut down this escape route for individuals involved in supplying drugs that are very harmful and highly addictive,” he said.

Admitting that ‘chitta’ had become a big threat in almost every corner of the state, Theog MLA Kuldeep Rathore said he had brought a resolution in the Assembly in 2023 to make laws related to such drugs more stringent. “The resolution was passed in the House and was sent to the Centre to make the law more stringent. Unfortunately, we have not received any response so far. I will raise the matter again in the upcoming Budget Session of Vidhan Sabha,” said Rathore. The MLA, who is also a lawyer, said repeat offenders should not be given bail easily regardless of the quantity of ‘chitta’ recovered from them. “It will send out a strong signal to those involved in supplying ‘chitta’, and enhance the faith of people in the criminal justice system,” said Rathore.