Shimla, June 16 -- Chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu administered an anti-drug pledge to newly elected panchayat representatives on Monday, urging them to lead the campaign for drug-free communities.

Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony in Shimla, where education minister Rohit Thakur administered the oath of office to leaders from 441 panchayats, Sukhu said that grassroots representatives serve as the vital link between the government and the public.

Across the state, approximately 2,950 panchayat pradhans and up-pradhans took their oaths, ending a four-month period of interim administrative rule. They assume formal charge on Tuesday.

The escalating crisis centres on 'chitta', an adulterated heroin variant that has gripped Himacha...