Bilaspur Women Take Night Patrols to Tackle Chitta Menace in Himachal Pradesh
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In a bold initiative to combat the growing problem of chitta in Himachal Pradesh's Bilaspur district, women from Laghat village have started night patrols to prevent drug traffickers from operating in the area. The village, which connects the Bairi Rajadian panchayat with the Barmana industrial area, has become a hub for drug peddlers due to its high volume of traffic. However, the women, who are members of the Laghat Mahila Mandal, are determined to keep their community safe. Led by Mahila Mandal head Pinky Sharma, the women, aged 25-50, patrol the village streets every night, armed with torches and sticks. They keep a close eye on passersby and question anyone who appears suspicious. According to Anju Sharma, a member of the group, the newly built link road has increased the movement of outsiders at night, making it easier for traffickers to lure young people into the drug trade. However, the women are committed to stopping them. The campaign has received full support from the villagers, with several residents joining the women on their night patrols and others keeping watch over the village entrance and reporting any suspicious activity to the Mahila Mandal or the police. Bilaspur SP Sandeep Dhawal has praised the initiative and assured full police support. 'The women are doing excellent work, and we will provide them with all the necessary cooperation,' he said. Himachal Pradesh is struggling to combat the spread of chitta, a highly addictive and lethal opioid that has claimed many young lives. The government, police, panchayats, and local communities are working together to tackle the menace. As former director of the State Forensic Science Laboratory Arun Sharma noted, chitta is a semi-synthetic opioid derived from heroin and is highly addictive and lethal. Overdose can be fatal, and police have warned that those involved in selling or consuming drugs will not be spared.
