Sukhu sets 6-month deadline to dismantle drug network in state

With an aim to curb the drug menace in Himachal Pradesh, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu Saturday directed the state police to launch a crackdown to dismantle the drug network in the next six months, even as he announced that the service of government employees, found involved in the narcotics trade, would be terminated.

Presiding over a high-level meeting with senior police officers and officials from other departments,  Sukhu also directed the police force to map drug peddlers and victims up to the panchayat level and submit a report by March 15. Panchayat representatives and Nambardars would also be roped in to combat this menace, he said, adding his government would introduce Himachal Pradesh Anti-Drug Bill, 2025 in the budget session of the Vidhan Sabha commencing from March 10. The proposed legislation will clearly differentiate between drug victims and traffickers. Laying emphasis on the need for stringent action against drug peddlers, the CM made it clear that no one involved in narcotics trafficking will be spared.

“Government employees against whom concrete evidence of drug smuggling is found will be terminated from service,” he added. He also questioned the officials on the delay in processing the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PIT-NDPS) Act cases.

Sukhu further said that the Anti Narcotics Task Force would be strengthened and a Special Task Force, to headed by a senior police officer, would be notified soon.