Himachal Government Dismisses 11 Police Personnel for Involvement in Chitta Trade, Reiterates Zero-Tolerance Policy.
Shimla:
In a strong crackdown against the growing menace of drug trafficking, the Himachal Pradesh Government on Monday dismissed 11 police personnel from service for their alleged involvement in the illegal chitta trade. The action reflects the State Government’s firm zero-tolerance policy against drugs and corruption within law enforcement agencies.
The dismissed personnel were found to be involved in cases registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Acting decisively, the government terminated their services under Article 311(2)(b) of the Constitution of India, which allows dismissal without a departmental inquiry in exceptional circumstances.
Presiding over a high-level meeting in Shimla, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu stated that the police have a fundamental responsibility to curb drug trafficking and take strict action against chitta suppliers. He emphasized that when police personnel themselves are found indulging in such illegal activities, stringent action becomes unavoidable. “No one is above the law. Those promoting the illegal trade of chitta or any other drugs will not be spared, irrespective of their rank or position,” the Chief Minister asserted.
The dismissed personnel include Inspector Neeraj Kumar of the 1st Indian Reserve Battalion, Bangarh; Constable Shubham Thakur from Bilaspur district; Constable Kapil of the 3rd IRB, Pandoh; Constable Shiv Kumar and Constable Ankush Kumar from SDRF; Constable Lakshya Chauhan and Constable Rahul Verma from Shimla District Police; Constable/Driver Vishal Thakur from SV & ACB; Constable Gaurav Verma of the 4th IRB, Jungleberry; Constable/Driver Sandeep Rana of the 2nd IRB, Sakoh; and Constable Rajat Chandel from State CID.
The Chief Minister further directed all government departments to prepare detailed reports of employees involved in chitta trafficking and related activities and submit them to the Chief Secretary at the earliest. He also ordered the preparation of reports on properties acquired through drug money by such employees for further action.
To strengthen public participation, the State Government has activated emergency number 112 for sharing information related to chitta and appealed to citizens to come forward without fear. Director General of Police Ashok Tiwari presented a detailed report on the ongoing actions taken by the police against drug networks.
The government has also announced lucrative rewards for informers, ranging from Rs. 10,000 for small recoveries to Rs. 10 lakh for seizures exceeding one kilogram, with even higher rewards for exposing major drug syndicates.
The meeting was attended by Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh, Chief Secretary Sanjay Gupta, senior advisors, and top officials, underscoring the government’s unified resolve to eradicate the drug menace from the state.
