Shimla/Kullu, 17 Feb: Several gram panchayats in Himachal Pradesh are stepping up their efforts to combat the growing menace of heroin. In recent weeks, panchayats across districts, including Shimla and Kullu, have passed resolutions aimed at socially boycotting both sellers and consumers of heroin, denying them access to essential services.
The latest to join this movement is Ghoond Gram Panchayat in Shimla’s Theog block. “Anyone found consuming or selling heroin will be excluded from the BPL scheme, their ration cards will be revoked, and they will be barred from receiving panchayat certificates,” said CR Chandel, the up-pradhan of Ghoond Gram Panchayat.
Chandel accentuated the alarming spread of addiction as the driving force behind their decision.
“People are scared for their children. Just recently, we heard reports of children making their parents addicted to heroin. Such developments are disturbing, and now the community feels the need to take action at the grassroots level,” Chandel added.
In Kullu, Palchan Gram Panchayat took similar steps, passing a resolution on Saturday. “We will not only bar those involved with heroin from accessing panchayat services but will also socially boycott them. Anyone involved in selling the drug will be ostracized and denied social participation,” said Koushalaya Devi, a member of the Palchan Panchayat.
The issue of bail for drug offenders has become a point of contention among locals. Many argue that drug smugglers are granted bail too easily and return to their illicit activities after their release.
“We need stronger measures. Individuals caught with drugs like heroin should not be given bail so easily,” one local resident stated.
Shimla SP Sanjeev Gandhi echoed these concerns, pointing out a loophole in the current legal system.
“Traffickers exploit the quantity-based classification of drugs to minimize their sentences. They carry just enough to avoid heavier punishment and bail denial,” Gandhi explained. “We are working on filing bail cancellation applications in 70 cases,” he added.
Gandhi also called for broader amendments to close these legal gaps. “The punishment for drug-related offenses should not depend on quantity, but on the nature of the drugs involved. We need a comprehensive change to address the gravity of trafficking heroin and other highly addictive substances.”
The issue has caught the attention of local politicians, including Theog MLA Kuldeep Rathore. Rathore, who raised the matter in the Assembly in 2023, mentioned that the resolution to strengthen drug laws had been passed and sent to the Centre. “Unfortunately, we’ve yet to receive any response. I will bring this up again in the upcoming Budget Session,” Rathore said.
As a lawyer, Rathore argued that repeat offenders should be denied bail regardless of the quantity of heroin recovered.
“This approach will send a clear message to traffickers and restore public trust in the criminal justice system,” Rathore concluded.
