Jamshedpur: Police launch drive against poppy cultivation in Naxal infested areas 

Jamshedpur, Feb 24: With the poppy plants in flowering stage, the police destroyed poppy plants grown on an area of eight acres of forest land at Reyarda village under Chowka police station area in the adjoining Seraikela-Kharsawan district on Thursday. The drive has been launched across Naxal infested areas. 
A police official said that the poppy plants are in a flowering stage. So, it is easy to identify them. The villagers have sown the plants in the forest areas this year. On many occasions, we destroy the plants during special operations against extremists.

According to information, illegal poppy cultivation is increasing in Kolhan, especially in Seraikela-Kharsawan and West Singhbhum districts.  The cultivation is considered to be more profitable than growing paddy crops.

Before, the police had destroyed poppy plants grown over a total area of 41 acres in different places falling under Chowka and adjoining Kandra police station areas during the past month.

OC, Chowka police station, Dharmraj Kumar said they have destroyed poppy plants grown over about 50 acres of land, but succeeded in arresting only three persons involved in the illegal activities.

 He said that information was repeatedly coming from the residents about illegal cultivation of poppy in the area.

 Meanwhile, a case in this regard has been registered under NDPS Act and investigation has been started. “The accused persons who did this cultivation will be identified and will be arrested soon” officials added.

Poppy cultivation is an easy source of income for a large number of people as it is used in producing many drugs, including morphine. Poppy farmers who surrendered voluntarily would be exempted from police cases but added that legal action would be taken against those encouraging and supporting its cultivation.

The official said the war on drugs is going in a positive direction and on the verge of success as people of all sections of society support the government’s initiative. “Now, the war on drugs has become a people’s movement. We will achieve the goal of making Kolhan free from drugs,” he added.