Police and paramilitary forces on Wednesday launched a drive to find out the elements involved in opium poppy plantation in the forest area of the district.

The drive started after the police destroyed large number of opium poppy plants cultivated cultivated under Bandhgao thana area of the West Singhbhum district, about 200 kms away from here on Monday.

Such a drive by the police assumes significance because Bandhgao is a naxal-infested area adjoining Khunti district and the villages of the area are getting increasingly inclined to carry out the opium poppy plantation which gives a good profit margin than the traditional paddy production.

Revealing about the drive, West Singhbhum superintendent of police, Ajay Linda said they destroyed opium poppy plants grown over 10 acres of land in four sites on Wednesday but could not arrest any one involved in this illegal activity.

"Not only we failed to arrest anyone, but also failed to register case against anyone because the opium poppy plantation had been done on the forest land. Had the plantation been done on the rayati land, then we would have registered a case against the owner of the land and would have arrested the culprits, " said Linda while talking to The Telegraph Online.

The senior police officer pointed out that they have information that some unscrupulous businessmen hailing from Khunti and Ranchi districts are coming to the remote villages situated in the forest cover in Bandhgao and are luring the poor villagers for carrying out the opium poppy cultivation on the forest land.

Linda said the opium traders use to sell the products like the opium and 'postu' in the local as well as outside market.

"The drive against the opium poppy plantation being carried out extensively is meant for not only bringing the village folks to the mainstream paddy cultivation, but also aimed at keeping the unethical traders away from the influence of naxals," said the police officer, adding that the drive will continue.