Bilaspur rallies in large numbers for state-wide anti-drug movement
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State releases Rs. 20 crore for de-addiction and rehabilitation centre
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today led a massive anti-drug awareness walkathon in Bilaspur under the State-wide public campaign against ‘Chitta’, as the town echoed with strong and impactful slogans against drug abuse. The walkathon, organised from Government Senior Secondary School (Boys) to Luhnu Ground, witnessed enthusiastic participation from students, public representatives, officers and prominent citizens.
The Chief Minister administered a solemn oath at the school ground, where participants pledged to collectively eliminate chitta and other narcotic substances from Himachal Pradesh.
Addressing a large gathering at Luhnu Ground, the Chief Minister described chitta as a “slow poison” destroying the future of the youth and shattering families, while also subjecting them to social stigma. He said the State Government had launched a mass anti-drug movement from the historic Ridge Maidan in Shimla on 15th November, followed by campaigns in Dharamshala and Hamirpur, with Bilaspur being another strong milestone in the people’s movement today.
Sh. Sukhu called upon every section of society, especially the youth, to actively participate in the fight against drug abuse. He said that meaningful social change had always been led by young people and expressed confidence that the youth of Himachal Pradesh would once again stand shoulder to shoulder with the government to make the State drug-free.
The Chief Minister announced that the government would soon launch an ‘Anti-Chitta Volunteer Scheme’, under which college and university students, NCC and NSS cadets, members of youth clubs and socially conscious citizens would be trained as frontline volunteers in the campaign.
Emphasizing that the government’s approach was not limited to slogans or symbolic events, he said strict action was being taken against drug traffickers alongside focused rehabilitation of victims. He announced that Rs. 20 crore has been released for the de-addiction and rehabilitation centre being developed at Kotla Barog in Sirmaur district.
Sharing enforcement details, he said that during the State-wide ‘Naka’ campaign from November 17 to 19, 208 checkpoints were set up, nearly 28,000 vehicles were checked and several NDPS cases were registered, leading to 33 arrests. On November 22, simultaneous search operations at 124 locations resulted in nine NDPS cases and nine arrests. On December 25, a special drive around educational institutions led to registration of 12 cases and issuance of 385 challans.
The Chief Minister said the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs (PIT-NDPS) Act was being effectively invoked to detain habitual offenders. Action has so far been initiated against 66 criminals under PIT and NDPS provisions, including 19 notorious chitta traffickers detained on December 6 and 19.
He further informed that action was underway against illegal properties linked to drug money. Of the 72 identified cases of encroachment and illegal construction, action has been completed in 14 cases, while proceedings in the remaining cases are in progress.
Sh. Sukhu said inspections of pharmaceutical manufacturing units were also being conducted to curb illegal production and distribution of psychotropic drugs. He added that community-based strategies were being strengthened through meetings held in 234 drug-affected panchayats to improve local intelligence, awareness and prevention efforts.
Town and Country Planning and Technical Education Minister Rajesh Dharmani, former Minister Ram Lal Thakur, former MLAs Tilak Raj and Bambar Thakur, Co-Convenor of the State Drug Abuse Prevention Board Sanjay Bhardwaj, Director General of Police Ashok Tiwari, Deputy Commissioner Rahul Kumar and Superintendent of Police Sandeep Dhawal were present on the occasion.
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