Shimla, Dec 16 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, took the lead on Tuesday in an anti-chitta awareness walkathon held in Hamirpur town, invigorating a statewide initiative against the perilous synthetic drug that is harming the youth.

The walkathon commenced at the Government Senior Secondary School (Boys) and concluded at the Police Lines in Dosadka Ground. The event saw an enthusiastic turnout from all demographics, including students, public officials, government representatives, and notable guests.

Prior to the walkathon, the Chief Minister administered a meaningful oath at the school grounds, where attendees pledged their united commitment to eradicate ‘chitta’ (synthetic drug) and other narcotics from Himachal Pradesh.

In his address to the crowd, the Chief Minister stated that the state is in a crucial fight against “chitta.” He highlighted that the government has initiated a thorough and relentless campaign against this hazardous drug, which poses a serious threat to the youth's future.

“We are taking strict and decisive measures to eliminate the ‘chitta termite’ from its core through legal action,” the Chief Minister asserted.

The Chief Minister noted that drug traffickers, suppliers, and those shielding these illegal operations are being systematically targeted, employing advanced technology alongside a fortified intelligence network and rigorous legal actions to dismantle organized narcotics syndicates.

Reaffirming his administration’s determination, he conveyed that the government is devoted to completely dismantling the networks of drug traffickers. He stressed that this campaign transcends mere law enforcement, evolving into a mass movement to safeguard the state's core identity and social structure.

He highlighted significant milestones achieved since the campaign's inception, pointing out that on November 22, police conducted historic, simultaneous raids at 121 locations statewide, delivering a significant blow to traffickers. Three days later, extensive checking operations were carried out in 51 educational institutions and around 598 shops, resulting in the registration of 12 NDPS cases and the issuance of 385 challans.

Further successes include the simultaneous apprehension of 16 notorious traffickers on December 7 under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs (PIT) and NDPS Acts. A total of 63 traffickers have been arrested to date.

Additionally, 1,214 traffickers and suspects have been identified, and 950 illegal properties have been flagged for stringent action. Assets worth over Rs 50 crore have been confiscated under the NDPS Act, marking a significant increase when compared to the Rs 13 crore seized during the previous government's three-year term.