Yog Raj Sharma
The North News
Shimla, January 13
The Himachal Pradesh government has dismissed 11 police personnel from service after they were found allegedly involved in cases linked to chitta (synthetic drugs), officials said. The action, taken under Article 311(2)(b) of the Constitution, follows cases registered against the personnel under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and reflects the state’s declared zero-tolerance policy on drugs.
Chairing a high-level meeting in Shimla, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said the police had a primary responsibility to act firmly against drug suppliers. He added that involvement of police personnel in drug-related activities made strict action “inevitable”.
“No one is above the law. Anyone promoting the illegal trade of chitta or other drugs will not be spared, irrespective of rank,” the chief minister said, warning that there was no place in the police force for those who violated the law while enforcing it. Those dismissed include an inspector and constables posted across Indian Reserve Battalions, district police units, the State CID, SDRF and vigilance establishments. Officials said all were facing NDPS Act cases.
Sukhu also directed all departments to prepare detailed reports on government employees allegedly involved in chitta trafficking and submit them to the chief secretary. He ordered separate reports on properties suspected to have been acquired using drug money.
The state has urged the public to share information related to chitta through the emergency helpline 112, assuring informers of confidentiality. The government has also announced cash rewards for information leading to drug seizures — ranging from ₹10,000 for small recoveries to ₹10 lakh for seizures exceeding one kilogram. Informers providing leads on major drug syndicates may receive rewards exceeding ₹5 lakh.
Director General of Police Ashok Tiwari briefed the meeting on steps taken by the police against chitta networks.
The meeting was attended by Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh, Chief Secretary Sanjay Gupta, senior advisors and top bureaucrats.
