Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu led a large-scale anti-drug awareness walkathon in Dharamsala on Monday, walking alongside thousands of schoolchildren and citizens in a mission-mode campaign to eradicate synthetic drugs from the state.
The 2.2-kilometer walkathon, themed ‘Chitta ko Harana Hai—Yuwaon ko Bachana Hai’ (Defeat chitta, save the youth), began at Dari Mela Ground and concluded at Police Ground, with participation from students of over 50 educational institutions across Kangra district.
Throughout the march, students raised anti-drug slogans and carried placards promoting a drug-free Himachal. The Chief Minister walked the entire route with the children, stopping at various points to interact and encourage them to join the fight against narcotics. Students enthusiastically took selfies with Sukhu during the event.
Stern warning to drug mafia
Addressing the gathering at Police Ground, the Chief Minister issued a strict warning to the chitta mafia, stating that drug peddlers have no place to hide in Dev Bhoomi. He emphasized that the PIT-NDPS (Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances) Act, which remained unenforced for years, has now been effectively implemented by the current government.
“We have detained 46 major traffickers under this law and confiscated Rs 46 crore worth of illegal property earned from the drug trade,” Sukhu announced.
The Chief Minister declared this is a “new Himachal” where the battle against drugs will continue until every trace of chitta is eliminated. He clarified that this is not just a fight against individual traffickers but a decisive war against the entire drug mafia network and those who push the younger generation toward addiction.
‘Chitta Reward Yojana’ launched
In a significant move to encourage public participation, CM Sukhu launched the ‘Chitta Reward Yojana,’ an incentive-based program rewarding citizens who provide information about drug activities.
Under the scheme, informants—whose identities will remain confidential—will receive:
- Rs 10,000 for information on up to 2 grams of narcotics
- Rs 25,000 for 5 grams
- Rs 50,000 for 25 grams
- Rs 5 lakh for 1 kilogram
- Rs 10 lakh for information on quantities exceeding 1 kilogram
- Over Rs 5 lakh for information leading to the arrest of major drug networks
Citizens can report drug-related activities by calling the emergency number 112.
Multi-departmental united front
The Chief Minister stated that the Anti-Narcotics Task Force, Special Task Force, police, education, health, and social justice departments, along with every citizen, are now united against chitta.
“Today I am not here as a Chief Minister but as a shield protecting the future of our youth,” Sukhu remarked, adding that the anti-chitta campaign has now entered mission mode and represents a comprehensive battle to safeguard young people’s futures.
The Chief Minister administered an anti-drug pledge to the youth present. Awareness about chitta’s harmful effects was also raised through balloon releases and a paraglider display.
