Brave Women Launch Night Patrols Against Deadly Drug Trafficking in Rural Himachal Pradesh

The patrol teams consist of women between 25 and 50 years old, all belonging to the Laghat Mahila Mandal.

Bilaspur:

During the cold winter nights in Leghat village of Bilaspur district, groups of determined women leave the warmth of their homes armed with torches and sticks to patrol the quiet streets. Their mission is clear: to combat gangs trafficking adulterated heroin, locally known as chitta.

Situated in the Bilaspur Sadar Assembly segment, Laghat village connects the Bairi Rajadian panchayat with the Barmana industrial area. The women explained that constant vehicular movement in this region creates an ideal transit corridor for drug peddlers.

Enduring the harsh cold, these women organize into small patrol groups, vigilantly monitoring nighttime movements throughout the village. They question suspicious individuals, observe passersby carefully, and promptly report unusual activities to law enforcement.

These patrol teams consist of women aged 25 to 50, all members of the Laghat Mahila Mandal. They maintain their nightly vigil with unwavering dedication, committed to safeguarding their children from the escalating drug problem.

"We aim to capture drug traffickers and maintain our village's safety," Mahila Mandal leader Pinky Sharma stated on Monday. "Drug addiction devastates individuals, families, and society as a whole. Community involvement alongside police and administration is crucial." She added, "If we encounter anyone suspicious, we will stop them and contact the police." The women firmly declared that drug dealers and their accomplices have no place in their village, warning that they would implement stricter measures if necessary.

Mahila Mandal member Anju Sharma explained that a recently constructed link road has increased nighttime traffic from outsiders, which traffickers exploit to target young people. She noted that their campaign has received unanimous support from village residents.

Another member, Kusum, emphasized that their efforts will shape their children's future and strengthen the state government's anti-Chitta initiatives. Many residents have joined these night patrols, while others monitor people entering and leaving the village, reporting suspicious activities to the Mahila Mandal or police. Villagers warned that failing to take strong action now could lead to severe future consequences.

Bilaspur SP Sandeep Dhawal commended the initiative and promised complete police support. "The women are doing exceptional work. They will receive full cooperation from law enforcement. Those involved in selling or using drugs will face consequences," he stated.

Himachal Pradesh is battling the spread of dangerous substances like chitta, which has taken numerous young lives. The government, police, panchayats, and local communities are collaborating to address this crisis.

Chitta, or diacetylmorphine, is a semi-synthetic opioid derived from heroin that is highly addictive and potentially fatal. Arun Sharma, former director of the State Forensic Science Laboratory, warned that an overdose can be lethal.

Police previously reported that the drug costs between Rs 4,000 and Rs 6,000 per gram. Its substantial profit margins have prompted many drug peddlers to shift to chitta, with networks increasingly involving students.

Officials described the situation as alarming as chitta has extended into rural areas.

The expensive and habit-forming nature of this drug makes it unaffordable for students, forcing addicts to "both consume and sell it" to maintain their habit, drawing more youth into the network and creating chains for survival, officials added.