IMPHAL, Jan 3: Suspected cadres of NSCN-IM seized five large loads of betel leaves from a tourist bus this morning. A police source said that an inter-state tourist bus which was headed towards Imphal was stopped at Maram centre by the suspected NSCN-IM cadres and the miscreants took down the stacks of betel leaves at around 10.20 am. The source said the incident might be in connection with monetary demand to the tourist bus which was coming from Guwahati with passengers when it was stopped.
Meanwhile, a highly placed source said that Senapati District Police have escorted some incoming passenger tourist buses and other vehicles from Lairou to Kangpokpi this morning from 10.30 am onward. The vehicles were not willing to move and asked for police escort till Kangpokpi area.