Taking stringent action, the State Government dismissed the services of 11 police personnel from service today who were found dealing in Chitta. This action has been taken in line with the State Government’s zero-tolerance policy against drugs, after these personnel were found to be involved in cases under the NDPS Act.
The dismissals have been carried out under Article 311(2)(b) of the Constitution of India. Presiding over a high-level meeting in Shimla today, the Chief Minister stated that the police have a primary responsibility to take strict action against chitta and drug suppliers.
Adding that if police personnel were themselves found involved in drug-related activities, such a stringent action becomes inevitable. The Chief Minister made it clear that no person involved in chitta trafficking or illegal drug trade will be spared and that strict action was being taken against government employees found involved in such activities.
"No one is above the law, and those who will promote the illegal trade of Chitta and other illegal drugs won't be spared at any cost, may he or she be of any rank or file", said Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu sending a clear and strong message that there is no place in the police force for those who violate the law while being entrusted with its enforcement.
The dismissed personnel include Inspector Neeraj Kumar posted in the 1st Indian Reserve Battalion, Bangarh, Constable Shubham Thakur posted in District Bilaspur, Constable Kapil of the 3rd Indian Reserve Battalion, Pandoh, Constable Shiv Kumar posted in SDRF, Constable Lakshya Chauhan posted in Shimla District Police, Constable/Driver Vishal Thakur posted in SV & ACB, Constable Gaurav Verma of the 4th Indian Reserve Battalion, Jungleberry, Constable/Driver Sandeep Rana of the 2nd Indian Reserve Battalion, Sakoh, Constable Ankush Kumar posted in SDRF, Constable Rajat Chandel posted in State CID and Constable Rahul Verma posted in Shimla District Police. All were found to be involved in NDPS Act cases.
The Chief Minister directed all departments to prepare detailed reports of employees involved in chitta trafficking and related activities and submit the same to the Chief Secretary at the earliest. He also instructed that reports regarding properties acquired through drug money by such employees be prepared and forwarded to the government.
The State Government has activated the emergency number 112 for sharing any information related to Chitta and appealed to the public to come forward and share information without fear. Director General of Police Ashok Tiwari gave a detailed presentation on the actions taken by the Police Department against chitta.
It is pertinent to mention here that on the directions of the Chief Minister, the State Government has announced attractive rewards for providing information related to chitta syndicate. A reward ofRs. 10,000 for information leading to the recovery of up to two grams, Rs. 25,000 for five grams, Rs. 50,000 for 25 grams, Rs. 5 lakh for one kilogram, and Rs. 10 lakh for information related to seizures of more than one kilogram of chitta. Informers providing information about major drug syndicates will be rewarded with amounts exceeding Rs. 5 lakh.
The meeting was attended by Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh, Chief Secretary Sanjay Gupta, Principal Advisor to the Chief Minister Ram Subhag Singh, Additional Chief Secretary K.K. Pant, Secretary to the Chief Minister Rakesh Kanwar, Secretary C. Palrasu, Advocate General Anup Rattan, Director Rural Development Raghav Sharma, and other senior officers.