Overview
- Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu led an awareness walk from the Ridge to Chaura Maidan in Shimla to formally kick off the state’s anti-chitta push.
- Thousands joined the march, where the CM administered public pledges to shun drugs and framed the effort as a people-led movement.
- A network of 1,000 Anti-Chitta Volunteers will be set up to connect communities with police for faster reporting and local vigilance.
- Officials outlined three pillars for the drive: education campaigns, crackdowns on traffickers with strengthened policing, and treatment-focused rehabilitation.
- The government reiterated a zero-tolerance stance, invoked PIT-NDPS for repeat offenders, and, according to the CM, has enacted tougher provisions including potential death penalty, life terms, fines up to ₹10 lakh, and property seizure.