Una, June 28 : HP Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla on Tuesday evening flagged off the brisk walk organised from Haroli to Kangar against drugs in Una district.
Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri was also present on the occasion. The program was organised like a festival, with a huge crowd, in which people from all classes, departments and educational institutions participated. With this new initiative, the Governor travelled about two kilometers on foot from Haroli and gave the message of public awareness against drugs.
Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla said, “I am happy that the spirit with which I am running the campaign against drugs in Himachal is getting support from all sections of the government, administration and society. The Deputy Chief Minister has further strengthened this campaign of mine. I am sure Himachal is now in the mood to fight a decisive battle against drugs.
Later, while addressing a huge public meeting at Kangar, the last stop of the brisk walk, the Governor appreciated the efforts of the Deputy Chief Minister for organizing the program with new initiatives against drugs and said that it was our duty to make Himachal drug-free.
He said that the evil of drugs is related to the future of the youth. This is a campaign to unite to tackle this challenge.
The Prime Minister had also expressed concern to him about the increasing drug addiction in Devbhoomi, Governor said.
With this sponsorship, he has decided to start a mass movement against drugs in Himachal Pradesh, in which the Deputy Chief Minister has cooperated.
He appreciated the efforts being made by the police administration in this direction and praised campaign like “Pradhav” to end drugs.
He expressed happiness that the state government is doing good work against drugs at its level. He assured that he would talk to the central government regarding amendments in the law in this regard.
Today wars are not fought only with weapons, but indirect wars are being fought by making the youth of the country addicted to drugs, the Governor added.
He said that India is a young nation and some of our neighbouring countries are doing this work by sending drugs. He said that there are about 3000 prisoners in the jails of Himachal Pradesh, out of which more than 40 per cent of the prisoners are related to drug offences.
He said that Una being a border district is very vulnerable to drug smuggling. In such a situation, this program is important. He said that the message of this program to be organised in Haroli will reach other states of the state and the country.
On this occasion, the Governor launched the helpline number 94180-64444 against drug addiction. He also released the poster giving further messages to the anti-drug campaign.
Welcoming the Governor, Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri said that on the call of the Governor, he has started this Mahayagya from Haroli. He said that this is an international fight against drugs. Anyone involved in the illegal trade of drugs, no matter how influential, is our enemy.
Agnihotri said that there is a need to bring changes in the laws related to drugs. There should be no provision of bail in this and the property of the persons involved in such illegal business should be confiscated. For this, the central government needs to intervene.
He said that a proposal in this regard has been sent to the Central Government through the Legislative Assembly.
Acting Director General of Police Satwant Atwal Trivedi said on the occasion that in terms of population, Himachal has come second after Punjab in the prevalence of drugs, which is a matter of concern.
He said that keeping this seriousness in mind, the state police have started a campaign named ‘Pradhav’. Under this, online discussions were held with around 16,000 students from 160 schools. Under this, an online competition was also organized by the Governor in March this year.
