No leniency for chitta traffickers, government committed to protecting Youth: Chief Minister

SHIMLA 13 November, 2026

• CM leads anti-chitta awareness walkathon in Mandi
• Properties worth Rs. 92 crore acquired through drug trafficking seized

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today led the anti-chitta awareness walkathon in Mandi and appealed to the people of Himachal Pradesh, particularly the youth, to actively participate in the fight against drug abuse and help make the State drug-free.
The walkathon started from Paddal Ground, proceeded towards the Bus Stand and Seri Manch, and returned to Paddal Ground. A large number of students and local residents from across the district participated enthusiastically. On the occasion, the Chief Minister administered the Anti-chitta pledge to the participants and urged them to remain alert and contribute actively to the campaign against drug abuse.
Addressing a public gathering at Paddal Ground, the Chief Minister said that the state government was taking strict and continuous action against the drug trade. He stressed that the problem could not be tackled through government and police action alone and required the active support and cooperation of every section of society. ‘I want to make it absolutely clear that there is no place in Himachal Pradesh for those who sell chitta and destroy the lives of our youth for money,’ he said. He added that the government had adopted a firm policy against those involved in the illegal drug trade and that strict legal action was being taken against drug peddlers and traffickers.
The Chief Minister said that during the present government’s tenure, 22 properties constructed on government land had been vacated and demolished. In addition, assets worth Rs. 92 crore, allegedly acquired through illegal drug activities, had been seized so far. He said that the police were continuously taking action against chitta networks and drug traffickers within the framework of the law. The government had also taken the campaign beyond enforcement measures and was working to turn it into a people’s movement.
Seeking collective support, the Chief Minister said that the fight against drugs required the participation of every mother, father, teacher, panchayat, Mahila Mandal, Yuva Mandal and above all the youth of the state. He urged support of every section of society in this fight. Today, ‘I am entrusting this responsibility to the youth of the State,’ he said.
He urged people not to remain silent if they witnessed the sale of chitta or any other drug-related activity. Instead, they should share credible information with the authorities through the emergency toll-free number 112. He said that the state government had made provisions to reward individuals who provide accurate and reliable information about drug traffickers.
Reiterating the Government’s commitment to safeguarding the future of the youth, the Chief Minister said that Himachal Pradesh would not allow itself to be defeated by the threat of chitta.
Recalling the journey of the anti-chitta campaign, he said it had been launched nearly a year ago with the aim of bringing society together against drug abuse. On 5 November 2025, thousands of people had taken to the streets of Shimla to raise their voices against drugs. The campaign subsequently received strong public support in Dharamshala on 1st December in Hamirpur on 16th December and in Una on 16th September, 2026. On 26th December last year, thousands of people in Bilaspur had also participated in a walkathon, demonstrating their collective resolve against chitta.
The Chief Minister said that, a year after the launch of the campaign, the same spirit of commitment and unity was clearly visible in Mandi. Appreciating the enthusiasm of the participants, he particularly praised the students who had travelled from remote areas of the district to make the event a success.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister also laid the foundation stone of the District Library building in Mandi, which will be constructed at a cost of Rs. 6.55 crore.
MLAs Anil Sharma, Chander Shekhar and Suresh Kumar, former Ministers Thakur Kaul Singh, Rangila Ram Rao, and Prakash Chaudhary, former Chief Parliamentary Secretary Sohan Lal Thakur, Chairman of SC/ST Corporation Lal Singh Kaushal, Member Regulatory Commission Vijay Pal,Vice-Chairman of the Jal Prabandhan Board Shashi Sharma, Chairman SC Cell Congress Naresh Chauhan, District Congress President Champa Thakur, PCC Vice-President Jeevan Thakur, General Secretary Pawan Thakur, Dharamvir Dhami, Deepak Sharma Saraj Block Congress Committee President Jagdish Reddy, DGP Ashok Tiwari and Deputy Commissioner Apoorv Devgan and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.