Tragic Death of 21-Year-Old Youth in Shimla Sparks Outrage Over Drug Abuse
A 21-year-old youth, identified as Snehal, son of Kapil Kumar and a resident of Sector 3, New Shimla, was found dead in the washroom of a restaurant in Sanjauli, Shimla, on Tuesday evening. The incident has once again brought the issue of drug abuse in the city to the forefront, with locals taking to the streets to demand stricter action against the drug menace.
According to reports, Snehal had visited a restaurant in Sanjauli and went to use the washroom. When he did not return for a long time, the restaurant staff grew suspicious and knocked on the door. Receiving no response, they informed the police, who arrived at the scene and broke open the door. Inside, they found Snehal unconscious with an injection mark on his arm. A syringe was also recovered from the spot. He was rushed to the hospital but was declared dead on arrival.
The police have stated that the exact cause of death will be determined after the postmortem report is received. However, initial investigations suggest that Snehal may have died due to a drug overdose. This incident has reignited concerns over the growing drug problem in Shimla, particularly in the Sanjauli area.
Sanjauli Residents Protest Against Drug Abuse
The death of Snehal has sparked outrage among the residents of Sanjauli, who have been vocal about the increasing drug abuse in their locality. On Wednesday, locals gathered in front of the Sanjauli police station to protest and demand a thorough investigation into the drug trade in the area. They also called for increased police patrolling to curb the spread of drugs.
Narendra Thakur & Ankush Verma, local Municipal Councilors , praised the police for their efforts and also emphasized the need for strict action against those involved in drug peddling and addiction. Ankush said there is need to have vigil in some marked suspicious areas of Sanjauli.
Satywan Pundir from HGVS have said they have recently submitted memorandum to many MLAs, Minister’s and LOP during the budget session . HGVS feels authorities need to work on demand reduction of substance use and also launching awareness campaigs and deaddiction centres. Govind Chitranta from Shimla Nagrik Sabha urged the public to come together and fight this drug menace. He urged the government to work on both supply and demand of drugs.
Fourth Youth Dies of Drug Addiction in Shimla
This tragic incident marks the fourth death due to drug addiction in Shimla in recent weeks. Earlier, the body of 24-year-old Sahil from Baldwara, Mandi district, was found in a building under construction in Simitti, Sanjauli. A syringe was found in his hand, and the postmortem report revealed the presence of morphine and pre-gabalin in his system—substances commonly used in the production of chitta, a deadly synthetic drug.
12th Death in 71 Days Due to Chitta in Himachal Pradesh
Snehal’s death is the 12th reported case of a drug-related fatality in Himachal Pradesh in the last 71 days. The rising number of deaths due to chitta has alarmed both the public and authorities, highlighting the urgent need for a comprehensive strategy to tackle the drug crisis in the state.
A Call to Action: Together We Can Defeat Drug Addiction
The tragic death of Snehal has once again underscored the devastating impact of drug addiction on young lives. As the community mourns the loss of yet another youth, there is a growing demand for collective action to address this issue. Residents are urging the government and law enforcement agencies to take stringent measures to eradicate drug abuse and provide support to those struggling with addiction.
The incident has also raised questions about the role of local establishments, such as restaurants, in preventing drug-related activities on their premises. The restaurant where Snehal was found dead has come under scrutiny, with calls for stricter monitoring and accountability.
As Shimla grapples with this ongoing crisis, the hope is that Snehal’s death will serve as a wake-up call for all stakeholders to come together and fight against the scourge of drug addiction. Only through concerted efforts can the city hope to save its youth from falling victim to this deadly epidemic.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
