Shimla, March 15 -- Under the ongoing "Chitta-Free Himachal" anti-drug campaign, the Himachal Pradesh Police conducted a special statewide search drive near educational institutions, said officials on Saturday. During the state-level operation, a total of 1,949 shops and vendors situated near educational institutions across the state were thoroughly inspected. The search was carried out by joint teams of the District Police and the Special Task Force (STF) as part of a coordinated enforcement effort, said a police spokesperson. He further informed that , five cases were registered under the COTPA Act and one case under the Excise Act. In addition, 567 challans were issued under the COTPA Act and four challans under the Non-Biodegradable Waste (Control) Act. A total fine of Rs.65,300 was collected under the COTPA Act during the operation. During the search, a significant quantity of prohibited tobacco products, including cigarettes, tobacco and bidis, was also seized. They further informed that the purpose of this drive was to further strengthen the objectives of the campaign.htc...