HP CM leads mega Walkathon to eliminate ‘Chitta’, launches massive drive

HP CM leads mega Walkathon to eliminate ‘Chitta’, launches massive drive

Shimla, Nov 15 

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu launched a massive public movement against ‘Chitta’, marking the beginning of a decisive campaign across the state, here today. The Chief Minister led the ‘Chitta-Virodh’ awareness Walkathon from the Ridge to Chaura Maidan in Shimla.

Thousands of Children, public representatives, officials and prominent citizens besides people from all sections of the society participated in the walkathon. The Chief Minister administered an oath at the Ridge, urging people to stay away from drugs and addictive substances.

Addressing the gathering at Chaura Maidan, the Chief Minister said that the state would confront the challenge of Chitta collectively.  The public participation would ensure that drug traffickers find no safe harbour. This initiative would be a historic to wipe drug kingpins and peddlers, he stated.

 “Chitta-Free Himachal is not merely a governmental initiative but is people’s movement” he remarked. It is battle against drugs with collaborative efforts of all. Himachal’s moment against the drugs must echo not only across the mountains of the state but throughout the nation, he appealed.

The Chief Minister added that schools would not be just temple of education but centres of values and safety.

Sukhu appealed to women power especially the mothers to steer the movement effectively, stating that that women can play a pivotal role to awaken the society and be the backbone of this campaign, making it a success.

He also appealed to religious institutions to raise their voice against drug abuse. If all religious institutions stand together against Chitta, then no one will be able to stop us from ending this evil,” he said. In a stern warning, the Chief Minister said that those who are involved in Chitta business, destroying the future of children and ruin families will find no place in the land of the gods. “Our police is ready, our government is ready and more importantly our people are ready to route-out Chitta,” he remarked.

He said the goal was to create a Himachal, a State, where Chitta would be the talk of the past finding no mention in the States history henceforth.  The Chief Minister said that Chitta was silently harming our culture, our values, and the future of our children. A strong public movement has now begun to end this menace. He said the State Government was working on three main points to fight drugs.

He stated that the Government was focusing on three main parameters. Firstly, spreading awareness against drugs, secondly, stopping youth from falling into drugs trap and addiction by taking strict action against drug mafias and strengthening law-enforcement agencies and giving them powers to deal with Chitta mafia sternly. Thirdly, ensuring the rehabilitation of children trapped in addiction. He said addicted youths were not criminals  they need treatment, care, and support.

The Chief Minister said the government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against Chitta. No one involved in this trade will be spared, no matter how influential they may be. Soon after coming to power, the government implemented the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PIT-NDPS) Act, to send repeated offenders involved in drug trafficking to jail.

New laws have also been passed for treatment, rehabilitation and control of organized drug crimes. These include provisions for the death penalty, life imprisonment, fines up to Rs. 10 lakh, and seizure of property of drug traffickers.

The government will soon form a team of 1,000 Anti-Chitta Volunteers who will act as a link between the police and the public, he said. Police have been instructed to identify drug users and drug mafias at the panchayat level, and this work has been completed.

A Drug Prevention and Rehabilitation Board has been formed, and a new chapter on drug awareness will be added to the school curriculum.

After the walkathon, the Chief Minister interacted with students and participants, explaining the harmful effects of Chitta. He also met parents who lost their children to drugs and offered them support.

Ministers, Dr. (Col) Dhani Ram Shandil, Harshvardhan Chauhan and Rajesh Dharmani, Media advisor to CM Naresh Chauhan, Deputy Speaker Vinay Kumar,  MLA’s, Mayor, prominent citizens, religious leaders, senior officers took part in the walkathon.