No Place for Chitta Sellers in Himachal Pradesh, Says CM Sukhu; Calls for People’s Collective Fight Against Drugs.

Shimla:

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Thursday led an anti-chitta awareness walkathon in Una, calling upon people, particularly the youth, to actively participate in the fight against drug abuse and help protect the younger generation from addiction.

The walkathon, organized as part of the state government’s anti-chitta campaign, began at Indira Stadium and proceeded towards the new bus stand before concluding at the stadium. A large number of students and residents from different parts of Una district participated in the event. Before the walkathon, the Chief Minister administered an anti-chitta pledge to the participants and urged them to remain vigilant and contribute to efforts against drug abuse.

Addressing the gathering, Sukhu said the state government was taking firm and sustained action against the drug menace, but stressed that government and police action alone could not completely address the problem. He called for the active participation and cooperation of families, teachers, friends, panchayats and other sections of society.

“I want to clearly say from the land of Una that there is no place in Himachal for those who sell chitta and destroy the lives of our youth for money,” the Chief Minister said.

He said the government’s approach towards people involved in the illegal drug trade would remain clear and uncompromising. Strict legal action would be taken against those selling chitta and involved in drug trafficking, while young people struggling with addiction would be dealt with compassionately and provided support to help them recover and return to a normal life.

The Chief Minister emphasized the distinction between drug traffickers and people suffering from addiction. While those involved in drug peddling must face legal action, he said, young people caught in addiction require care, support and an opportunity to rebuild their lives.

Appeal to youth to prevent drug abuse

Appealing to young people, Sukhu urged them to remain alert to changes in the behaviour of their friends and ensure that none of them falls into the trap of chitta.

“Your small act of alertness can save someone’s son, someone’s daughter and can prevent a family from falling apart,” he said, adding that a true friend should support a friend and prevent them from taking the wrong path.

The Chief Minister said the police was continuously acting against chitta networks and drug traffickers in accordance with the law. However, he reiterated that the fight against drugs could not be won through police action alone.

“Police can arrest a trafficker and the government can make laws, but it is the family, friends, teachers and society that can stop a child from taking drugs for the first time,” he said.

He said this approach had formed the basis of the state government’s efforts to tackle the drug menace and had transformed the anti-drug campaign into a people’s movement.

Calls for collective participation

Sukhu called upon all sections of society to join the campaign against drugs.

“In this fight, I need the support of every mother, every father, every teacher, every panchayat, every Mahila Mandal, every Yuva Mandal and, most importantly, the youth of Himachal Pradesh. Today, I am giving this responsibility to the youth of the state,” he said.

Calling upon young people to become active participants in the anti-drug campaign, the Chief Minister urged them not to remain silent if they witnessed the sale of chitta or other drug-related activities. He asked people to share reliable information with authorities through the toll-free emergency number 112.

He also said that the state government had made provisions to reward people who provide reliable information that assists authorities in combating the illegal drug trade.

Sukhu reiterated the government’s resolve to protect the youth of Himachal Pradesh and said the state would not be allowed to surrender to the threat posed by chitta.

Anti-Chitta campaign reaches Una

Recalling the launch of the Anti-Chitta campaign around nine months ago, the Chief Minister said the initiative was aimed at bringing society together against drug abuse.

He said thousands of people took to the streets of Shimla on November 5, 2025, to raise their voice against drugs. Similar public mobilisation followed in Dharamshala on December 1, while Hamirpur witnessed participation from young people on December 16. On December 26, thousands of people in Bilaspur participated in a walkathon to convey a message of unity against chitta.

Sukhu said the same spirit of determination and unity was visible in Una nearly nine months after the campaign was launched.

“Today, we have not gathered here simply to take part in a walkathon. We are walking for our children and our families. We are walking for the future of Himachal Pradesh,” he said.

He said the increasing participation of people, particularly young people, reflected growing awareness about the dangers of drug abuse. According to him, collective vigilance and participation by society were essential to countering drug abuse and other social problems.

The Chief Minister appreciated the enthusiasm of participants, noting that students had travelled from distant areas to join the walkathon despite temperatures ranging between 35 and 40 degrees Celsius. He expressed gratitude to the participants and everyone involved in organizing the event.

Holiday announced for schools in Una

During the programme, Sukhu announced a holiday for all government and private schools across Una district on September 17.

He also thanked Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, MLAs Rakesh Kalia, Sudarshan Bablu and Vivek Sharma, along with officers and officials involved in organizing the event.

Development projects inaugurated

The Chief Minister also inaugurated the three-storey Block Development Office building at Una, constructed at a cost of Rs 3.87 crore.

He laid the foundation stone for the Rampur bridge on Santoshgarh Road, which is estimated to cost Rs 9.55 crore.

Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, MLAs Sudarshan Bablu, Rakesh Kalia and Vivek Sharma, Congress leader Satpal Raizada, Himachal Pradesh Scheduled Castes Commission Chairman Kuldeep Kumar, members Vijay Dogra and Digvijay Malhotra, Anti-Chitta Board Coordinator Naresh Thakur, Co-Coordinator Sanjay Bhardwaj, Chairman Digvijay Sharma, Advocate General Anoop Rattan, District Congress President Deshraj Gautam, Director General of Police Ashok Tiwari and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.