Crackdown on Drug Traffickers Intensified, Illegal Encroachments Also Being Removed: Deputy Commissioner

ENCORD Meeting Reviews Multi-Pronged Strategy for Drug-Free Kangra

Monitoring and Awareness to Be Strengthened in Schools, Colleges, Hotspots and Jails

Dharamshala | July 31, 2026: A district-level meeting of the National Narcotics Coordination Portal (NCORD) was held at the NIC Auditorium in Dharamshala to review the progress of the Nasha Mukt Himachal campaign and strengthen efforts to curb drug abuse and trafficking in Kangra district. The meeting was chaired by Deputy Commissioner Hemraj Bairwa.

The meeting focused on developing a multi-dimensional strategy to protect youth from drug abuse, intensify action against drug traffickers and improve coordination among government departments.

The Deputy Commissioner directed authorities to make anti-drug committees in affected areas more active, maintain continuous surveillance in identified drug hotspots and strengthen the local intelligence network. He also stressed expanding awareness campaigns with the support of ASHA workers, Panchayat representatives and community organisations.

He instructed the Health Department to expand mental health services and Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST) facilities at Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College and Hospital, Tanda, while further strengthening de-addiction treatment services.

The Deputy Commissioner also directed officials to ensure regular counselling, treatment and monitoring of drug-related inmates in prisons. He instructed departments to display anti-drug awareness messages on LED screens at bus stands, hospitals and urban local body premises to maximise public outreach.

Emphasising strict enforcement of the NDPS Act, he called for effective implementation of PIT-NDPS provisions and financial investigations against drug traffickers. He directed officials to identify properties acquired through illegal drug trade and initiate action as per law.

Hemraj Bairwa said 26 cases of illegal encroachment on government land by drug traffickers had been identified in the district. He instructed officials to complete the legal process promptly and demolish illegal structures. All SDMs were asked to coordinate with the police to ensure swift action.

He urged all departments to maintain proper documentation of their anti-drug initiatives and work collectively to transform the Nasha Mukt Kangra campaign into a people’s movement.

The Deputy Commissioner said officers from different departments would visit schools across panchayats to educate students about the harmful effects of drug abuse and encourage healthy, positive lifestyles.

He also stressed the need to strengthen contact tracing in drug-related cases to identify the entire supply chain and take stringent action against those involved. He warned that strict legal action would also be taken against any government employee found involved in drug trafficking or related activities.

Highlighting the importance of the SAMVAAD (Systematic Adolescent Management and Value Addition Dialogue) programme, he directed the Education Department to activate Prahari Clubs in schools and organise regular awareness activities.

Schools were instructed to immediately report any drug-related activity within or around their campuses to the police and conduct regular workshops and counselling sessions for students.

The Deputy Commissioner said anti-drug awareness hoardings were being installed in all panchayats to educate rural communities about the social, economic and health consequences of drug abuse. He also called for a robust monitoring mechanism, including regular inspections and monthly evaluations of private de-addiction centres.

During the meeting, Superintendent of Police Kulbhushan Verma presented a detailed report on the district’s ongoing anti-drug campaigns and enforcement actions.