Narco extremism is mushrooming in Jharkhand's couple of districts namely Palamu, Latehar, Chatra etc. 

It is a silent extremism where stakes are high. This narco extremism is played by growers who have tacit understanding with the ultras. Latehar district police have intensified  its crackdown against cultivation of poppy and its smuggling. 

It's like a battle  against narco extremism in Latehar. Balumath and Herhunj police limits in Latehar are infamous for poppy cultivation. Kekargarh and Manatu in Palamu are notorious for poppy cultivation. 

SP Latehar Anjani Anjan has launched  an all out offensive against poppy and its cultivation in the district. 

What the police lay hands on is just a tip of the iceberg of this illicit  trade. It is grown on a much larger scale.  People grow it knowing full well its consequences but the temptation of cash is irresistible to the growers. 

The mukhiyas, the panchayat samiti people all know about it but maintain a stiff upper lip attitude towards it. They feign ignorance which is untrue. 

As regards its cultivation, police in this district are destroying acres and acres of poppy crop. 

Latehar district police have in a month destroyed 52 acres of poppy cultivation under Balumath, Baariyatu and Herhunj police station limits. 

Again it has seized around 7.7 kgs of opium the latest seizure is of 3.7 kgs under the Balumath police station limits.  The number of arrests is 5 including 3 today. Vehicle too has been seized. 

Police find it tough to arrest where illicit cultivation is discovered as no one comes claiming either for plot of land on which the poppy crop is grown or the crop. 

It's mostly forest land or gair majarua land lying in close vicinity of the water source  where this illicit crop is cultivated. 

Sources said the forest department should also step in to drive against poppy cultivation as in 6 plots of land out of 10, it's forest land where this cultivation is on. 

Individuals also grow poppy along with the veggies in the backyard of their houses. Men and women both are involved. 

Sometimes poppy is smuggled in posh car too and to avoid detection by police women are put in the front seat of the car to give an impression of family in car said sources.