Shimla, April 18 (UNI) The Himachal Pradesh government has sacked two police constables, Sandeep Kumar and Jugal Kishore, for their involvement in drug trafficking, police said.

This is perhaps the first time in the state’s history that such strict action has been taken against police personnel accused of drug smuggling, according to Shimla Superintendent of Police Sanjeev Gandhi.

The termination orders were issued following directions from the Chief Minister’s Office. Both constables, who were posted in the Shimla Police, were initially transferred to the Kainthu police station after their alleged involvement came to light.

Formal notices were subsequently served, giving the accused an opportunity to respond. Their replies were reviewed and found unsatisfactory by the Chief Minister’s Office, which then directed their dismissal from service.

Investigations revealed that the two constables had links with the Shah Syndicate, a notorious drug trafficking gang operating in the region.

The move is being widely viewed as a strong message from the government against drug smuggling and a reflection of its zero-tolerance policy towards criminal activities involving government employees. It also signals a shift in administrative focus towards internal accountability and discipline.

In a broader crackdown, the police said that 24 government employees in the Shimla district have been arrested in the smuggling of chitta, a synthetic drug.

Those arrested include officials from departments such as health, education, forest, and revenue — among them doctors, teachers, tehsil welfare officers, forest guards, and patwaris.

The state government has also confirmed that around 60 government employees across Himachal Pradesh have been found involved in drug trafficking. Police have recommended strict action against all individuals implicated.

Following the termination of the two constables, similar action is likely against other accused employees.

UNI ML PRS