CHANDIGARH: A mob of 30 to 40 people allegedly attacked a Himachal Pradesh police team in the Jakrehad area of Lag Valley in Kullu district and freed two suspects along with the narcotics (Charas) contraband seized by the police.
The incident took place yesterday when the police team was acting on a tip-off about suspected charas trafficking. "The police team had received confidential information that two persons were travelling on foot towards Kullu carrying charas they were intercepted by the police and allegedly contraband recovered from their possession." said police.
"As the news of the police action spread, the local woman village head (pradhan), her husband, the deputy village head (up-pradhan)and other residents reportedly reached the spot," said police and added that the situation allegedly escalated when a group of around 30 to 40 people attacked the police team and an independent witness.
During the confrontation, the mob forcibly took away the two suspects, their bag and the seized charas.
Following the incident, the police registered a case under Sections 20 and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The woman pradhan and several unidentified persons have been named in the case and has initiated an investigation to identify those involved in the alleged assault and recover the missing contraband.
The police managed to recover 508 grams of charas that had fallen onto the road during the scuffle. The remaining contraband was allegedly taken away by the mob.
In Himachal, 5,642 NDPS-related cases were registered over a three-year period, and more than 8,250 people were arrested. The crackdown also targeted 139 government employees, including 15 state government employees and a22 police personnel have been dismissed from service.
The enforcement agencies are keeping a close watch on those repeatedly involved in drug trafficking, organised drug supply chains and suspicious financial activities.
In addition, efforts are being made to identify suspected drug trafficking networks and strengthen local surveillance systems down to the Panchayat level. Under the PIT-NDPS Act, which deals with the prevention of illicit drug trafficking, it was reported that by December 2025, 46 major drug traffickers have been arrested and illegal assets worth approximately Rs 46 crore have been seized.
