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Himachal ramps up border security and anti-drug campaign to curb rising drug abuse

In a determined effort to tackle drug abuse and tighten law enforcement, Himachal Pradesh has decided to ramp up vehicle checks at state borders and bolster police presence in border areas. This decision was taken at a high-level meeting on Wednesday, chaired by Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena at the state Secretariat, with the goal of preventing drugs from entering the state and breaking down drug trafficking networks.

Chief Secretary Saxena emphasized the need for a vigorous approach to intercept suppliers of “chitta” (heroin) and other illicit drugs, signaling the state’s intent to curb drug trafficking at its roots. Under the new plan, plainclothes police officers will be deployed to closely monitor traffickers and disrupt the drug supply chain.

A major part of this strategy involves increased vigilance at Himachal’s borders with neighboring states like Punjab, Haryana, and Uttarakhand. Chief Secretary Saxena instructed officials to work in close coordination with police forces in these adjoining states, and Himachal’s police department will establish direct communication with their counterparts, including Director Generals of Police, to facilitate real-time intelligence sharing and cooperation.

In the coming days, additional police forces will be stationed at the borders to closely inspect vehicles entering the state. Officers will conduct thorough checks, aiming to identify and stop potential drug trafficking operations before they cross into Himachal.

Alongside these enforcement measures, the state government is launching an extensive anti-drug awareness campaign to educate the public, especially at the grassroots level. This initiative will reach panchayats and communities statewide, informing residents about the dangers of drug addiction. Schools across Himachal will also take part, with programs to educate students about the harmful effects of drugs.

Chief Secretary Saxena stressed that the fight against drugs requires more than just arrests; public education will be key in achieving long-term success. Officials have been advised to integrate awareness as a fundamental component of the anti-drug mission, ensuring that communities are well-informed and involved.

This meeting serves as a preparatory step for an upcoming review by Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, who is set to meet top police officials on November 19. The Chief Minister will evaluate the state’s progress in enforcing these new measures and ensure their effective implementation in combating drug trafficking.

Additionally, in a recent regional collaboration, Himachal Pradesh hosted a multi-state meeting in Shimla. This gathering brought together representatives from several states, including Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Chandigarh, Punjab, and central agencies such as the ITBP, CISF, CRPF, NDRF, CBI, and NIA. Senior officers from these states discussed joint efforts to strengthen regional law enforcement and control the spread of drug addiction. The collective agreement emphasized cross-state collaboration to create a united front against the drug crisis, aiming to ensure safer communities across northern India.

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