CM presides over NCORD meeting

·        Anti Chitta campaign, phase-II to commence from 1^st June: CM

·        31 government employees including 21 Police personnel dismissed from service

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, while presiding over a meeting of NCORD here today, said that the present state government has decided to launch the 2^nd  phase of  massive Anti-Chitta awareness campaign from 1 June to 20 August, 2026 in all government schools and colleges across the state. He said that administrative and police officers will visit at least 10 educational institutions in their respective areas to create awareness among students about the ill-effects of drugs. He said that the state government will ensure strict compliance by pharmaceutical companies regarding the manufacturing and distribution of medicines and any diversion of drugs will be viewed seriously. He said that licences of shops found selling medicines illegally would be cancelled.

The Chief Minister said that the government is committed to eliminating chitta from society to ensure a healthy environment. He further said that the state government has decided to include numerical grading in the Annual Confidential Reports (ACRs) of Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police, based on their performance in tackling the drug menace and implementing the Anti-Chitta awareness campaign. He directed Deputy Commissioners to convene regular meetings on the Anti-Chitta campaign so that the menace can be eradicated from society. He also stressed the need for the timely disposal of impounded vehicles and seized liquor to avoid stockpiling.

Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that forensic reports related to chitta cases must be prepared within five days to expedite investigations and trials. He directed Superintendents of Police to maintain constant surveillance on drug trafficking activities and closely monitor the situation on a regular basis. He also instructed the authorities to demolish illegally encroached properties belonging to chitta smugglers and said that mapping of repeat offenders should be carried out by the district administration

After the meeting while addressing the press conference the Chief Minister said that after assuming the reigns of the state the Congress government has ensured strict action against drug peddlers while also focusing on the rehabilitation of victims. He said that the present state government has made Anti-Chitta testing mandatory for recruitment in all departments including students getting admission in professional colleges. He said that the government quickly realized that the menace of ‘chitta’ was one of the biggest challenges facing the State. He said that this is not merely a drug problem, it is a direct attack on our youth, our families, our social fabric and the future of the state and the government would ensure every possible efforts to root out this vice from the society.

Sh. Sukhu said that on 15 November, 2025, the State Government launched the historic ‘Anti-Chitta Jan Aandolan’ through the Anti-Chitta Walkathon from Ridge, Shimla, with a view to make every woman, every man, every Panchayat, every family and especially our youth active participants in the fight against drugs. He said ‘Today, the ‘Chitta-Free Himachal’ campaign is no longer merely a government programme, it has evolved into a mass people’s movement. The Government is simultaneously working on all aspects of Enforcement, Supply Reduction, Demand Reduction and Harm Reduction in an integrated manner.”

The Chief Minister said that so far around 12,000 individuals have been identified, and special police and CID surveillance has been deployed in 234 highly sensitive panchayats across the State.

He said that the present State Government undertook a campaign to identify panchayats highly sensitive to the menace of chitta. Under this initiative, 19 panchayats in Shimla, nine in Solan, 20 in Sirmaur, 26 in Police District Baddi, 27 in Bilaspur, 14 in Hamirpur, 28 in Kullu, 24 in Mandi, 15 in Kangra, 13 in Chamba, 22 in Police District Nurpur, seven in Police District Dehra and 10 in Una district have been identified. He added that special deployment of police and CID personnel has been made in these panchayats to maintain strict surveillance and curb drug-related activities.

Sh. Sukhu said that from 2023 till now, 6,811 cases have been registered under the NDPS Act, which is 33.18 per cent higher than during the previous government’s tenure. During this period, 10,357 accused persons have been arrested and 45,867 kilograms of narcotic substances, including chitta, have been seized. He said that this clearly demonstrates that our government has not limited action against drugs to paperwork, but has taken strong and decisive action on the ground.

The Chief Minister said that so far, 174 drug traffickers and mafia have been detained under the PIT-NDPS Act, whereas the previous BJP government failed to implement the Act during its five-year tenure. He said that presently Himachal Pradesh ranks first in the country in preventive action against drug kingpins under the PIT-NDPS Act. He further stated that in year 2026 so far, Himachal Pradesh Police alone accounts for more than one-third (approximately 33 percent) of all preventive actions taken under the NDPS Act across the country. He said that, in order to strike at the financial roots of the illegal drug trade, illegal assets worth nearly Rs. 51 crore have been seized over the last three-and-a-half years, which is almost three times higher than during the previous government’s tenure.

Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that the STF examined over 700 cases and identified 300 cases for financial investigation and property freezing. So far, 76 illegal properties have been identified and demolition and eviction action has been taken in 17 cases. He said that our message is very clear, illegally acquired assets from the drug trade will not be allowed to remain protected under any circumstances.

The Chief Minister said that no individual is above the law in the fight against drugs. He stated that action has been taken against 123 government employees and police personnel found involved in drug-related activities, including the dismissal of 10 state government employees and 21 police personnel from service. He said that, apart from police personnel, those against whom action has been taken include two each from HRTC, food and civil supply and Rural development department, while one each from HPSEBL, Banking, Jal Shakti Vibhag and Veterinary departments. He said that for our government and policing system, honesty, discipline and public trust are paramount and there will be zero tolerance for any government employee involved in drug trafficking.

                Sh. Sukhu said that active participation from every section of society is essential to eradicate this menace. He said that the government’s approach is not limited only to arrests and punishment. He said that through a rehabilitation-centric approach, we are also connecting youth willing to quit drugs with treatment, counseling and rehabilitation facilities. He stated that one rehabilitation centre is being set up at Mashobra in Shimla district, which will be made functional from 20 May this year, while another centre at Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College, Tanda, will be made operational shortly.

The Chief Minister also honoured Gaurav Singh, SP Shimla, Renu Sharma, ASP Una and ASI Parul Nainta for their exemplary financial investigation work under the PIT-NDPS Act.

Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi, Rural development and Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh, Principal Advisor (Media) to the Chief Minister Naresh Chauhan, Chief secretary Sanjay Gupta, ACS home K.K Pant, DGP Ashok Tiwari and other senior officers were also present on the occasion.