Unified stand in House as Congress, BJP rally against chitta menace

In an unusual display of unity, the Congress Legislature Party led by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and BJP legislators headed by Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur jointly staged a protest on the Himachal Pradesh Assembly premises on Friday, calling for a determined fight against the growing menace of chitta.

Chief Minister Sukhu, joined by Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri and the LoP, stressed that the escalating drug crisis demanded collective action beyond party lines. “This is not about politics. Lives are at stake and we must work together,” Sukhu said. He announced that the government was finalising a comprehensive action plan, including gram sabha meetings in every panchayat and a reward system for individuals providing credible leads on drug networks.

Agnihotri highlighted that anti-drug rallies had already been organised in Shimla and Dharamsala and underlined the need for seamless coordination between the government and the Opposition. “I will speak to the Leader of the Opposition immediately. We must move together on this issue,” he said.

Sukhu added that the state was pursuing both strong enforcement and rehabilitation. “Large-scale arrests are being made, properties of offenders are being attached and rehabilitation remains a priority. Enforcement and recovery will go hand in hand.”