Himachal Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu on Tuesday (02 December) chaired the sixth state level meeting of the Narcotics Co-ordination Center in Dharamshala in Kangra district. During this, he gave instructions to give more speed and direction to the ongoing campaign against drugs in the state so that Chitta and all intoxicants can be completely eliminated from the state. CM has asked for details of drug-acquired properties till December 10.
The Chief Minister said, “Special deployment of CID and police forces has been made in 234 very sensitive panchayats of the state.” He instructed the Deputy Commissioners to form drug prevention committees in these panchayats. Besides, instructions were also given to organize regular meetings of Narcotics Co-ordination Center in every district. He appealed to the youth, parents, representatives of Panchayati Raj institutions, Mahila Mandals and other voluntary organizations to play an active role in making the state drug free.
Sukhu government strict regarding drug-acquired properties
CM Sukhu directed all the district administrations to identify the properties acquired from drugs and send the report to the government by December 10. “These properties will be demolished by the state government,” he said. 60 government employees have been found involved in chitta smuggling, including 15 policemen. Of these, 5 have been dismissed, while legal action is being taken against others.” He has given instructions to send the details of government employees involved in chitta smuggling by December 10.
Counseling will be given to people suffering from drug addiction
The Chief Minister said that in the coming time, Anti Chitta Walkathon will also be organized at the district and sub division level. he adds, ”
The government is not only ensuring strict enforcement in the state but is also strengthening the counselling, treatment and rehabilitation system of drug addicts. Drug test has been made mandatory in all government recruitments in the state. Anti-Drug Club, Prahari Club and peer education program have been made more active in schools and colleges. Hemp cultivation is being strictly monitored in the state.
Pharma units will be investigated
Himachal CM also said, “Strict inspection of pharma units is being done.” Instructed the Prosecution Directorate to speed up appeal disposal in NDPS cases, review acquittal cases and increase the conviction rate. Now the standards of supply, demand and harm reduction related to drug control will also be included in the ACR of the officers.
Government will start Chitta Information Reward Scheme
CM Sukhu further said that the state government is going to start ‘Chitta Information Reward Scheme’ in the state to make the anti-Chitta campaign a mass movement. The person giving information about Chitta will be given a reward ranging from Rs 10 thousand to Rs 10 lakh. He said, “People can give information by calling number 112 or at the nearest police station. The reward will be given within 30 days.” Along with this, he appealed to the citizens to give their active cooperation in eradicating the drug menace from the state.
How many NDPS cases were registered?
The Chief Minister said that the present state government is giving top priority to the safety of the youth. In the last three years, 5642 NDPS cases were registered with an increase of 28 percent and 8216 arrests were made and 36.657 kg of chitta was recovered, which is a proof of the activeness of the police. He said that PIT NDPS has been implemented in the state. 46 notorious smugglers were detained and illegal assets worth Rs 48 crore were seized.
Sukhu also said, “Himachal Pradesh is the first state in the country, which has identified 12,000 persons by dividing the panchayats into red-yellow-green categories. This model is now being considered exemplary at the national level.” It was informed in the meeting that during the statewide Naka operation on November 17 and 18, 16,441 vehicles were checked, 13 NDPS cases were registered and huge quantity of drug paraphernalia was seized.
On November 22, simultaneous raids were conducted at 121 places and a decisive attack was made on ten big smuggling networks. Apart from this, on November 25, a campaign was launched around educational institutions and 41 premises and 598 shops were searched. During this period, 12 cases were registered and 385 challans were issued. Apart from the concerned departments of the state government, representatives of central agencies like NCB, ED, DRI, Postal Department and RPF also participated in the meeting.