Chief Minister expresses sympathies with bereaved families
SHIMLA, 12.04.26-Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today visited Tegubehar in Kullu Sadar to offer condolences to the family of MLA Sunder Singh Thakur on the demise of his father Jog Dhyan Thakur.
The Chief Minister said that the passing of Jog Dhyan Thakur is a great loss to the bereaved family. He prayed for the peace of the departed soul and for strength to the family to bear this irreparable loss.
Earlier, the Chief Minister visited Katrain and called on the family of MLA Bhuvneshwar Gaur to express condolences on the demise of his elder brother Budhishwar Gaur. He prayed for the peace of the departed soul and conveyed his sympathies to the family.
The Chief Minister said that the state government stands with both families in this hour of grief.
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Feature
Ambitious Initiative for Drug Eradication: A Strong Campaign by the State Government
- Sports competitions to be organized at block, district and state levels
Youth are the driving force of inclusive development and national progress. Under the leadership of the Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the state government has taken several significant steps to ensure a bright future for the younger generation and to build a drug-free empowered society.
To protect youth from drug abuse and substance addiction, the state is promoting a strong sports culture. A comprehensive plan has been prepared to organize the “Khelo Himachal – Chitta Mukt Abhiyan” in the financial year 2026–27. The objective of this campaign is to steer youth away from drugs and encourage discipline, healthy competition and a positive lifestyle through sports.
Under this initiative, sports competitions will be organized at block, district and state levels with an estimated budget of Rs. 12 crore. Popular games such as volleyball, kabaddi and cricket will be included. Around 50,000 youth in the age group of 15 to 30 years are expected to participate. A detailed sports calendar is also being prepared by the departments of Rural Development, Youth Services & Sports, Police and district administration.
The state government is also adopting a compassionate policy for youth trapped in addiction, aiming to reintegrate them into mainstream society. De-addiction and rehabilitation centers are being operated across the state. A modern de-addiction and rehabilitation center is under construction at Kotla Barog in Sirmaur district at a cost of Rs. 20 crore. This facility will include a library, gymnasium, sports activities and skill and vocational training.
Additionally, provisions have been made to establish an observation home and a special home near this center with a budget of Rs. 2 crore in the 2026–27 financial plan. Children involved in drug trafficking will be placed in observation homes during trial proceedings.
The anti-drug campaign initiated by the Chief Minister against “Chitta” has now taken the form of a mass movement. The Anti-Chitta Walkathon organized across the state witnessed enthusiastic public participation. Several strong measures are also being implemented to curb drug trafficking. To strengthen the campaign, 1,000 additional constables will be recruited in the Himachal Pradesh Police Department.
The government is continuously intensifying its crackdown on drug mafias. Strict action is also being taken against illegally acquired properties linked to drug trafficking. A total of 1,214 individuals have been identified for possessing properties built on illegally encroached land. Out of these, demarcation of 950 properties has been completed, 12 have been demolished and 2 sealed, while action on others is ongoing.
In 2025, illegal assets worth Rs. 23.93 crore were seized. Strict disciplinary and legal action has been taken against 17 police personnel involved in drug trafficking, leading to their dismissal from service. Furthermore, cases under the NDPS Act have been registered against 105 government and other employees involved in drug-related offenses and departmental as well as dismissal proceedings are underway.
The mass campaign led by Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu against the drug “Chitta” is receiving widespread public support. With collective efforts, the strong measures being undertaken are expected to play a significant and long-term role in eradicating drug menace from the state, preserving the sanctity of this “Devbhoomi.”