Imphal, November 06: RPF/PLA activists set ablaze a tourist bus (MN01/0902) belonging to Network Travels agency at near Uran Chingkhong (foothill) this afternoon.

The incident took place at around 2 pm under Irilbung police station and the truck was reportedly torched for transporting betel leaves which had been banned by the proscribed outfit.

Claiming its hand in the act of burning the bus, a spokesperson of the armed group told reporters somewhere in Imphal East district this afternoon that seven carton load of betel leaves were brought in the passenger carrier from Guwahati and the same consignment meant for delivery to a non-Manipuri was off loaded at the Networks' Senapati Bazar counter on November 3.The vehicle along with its driver elangbam Ranjit (43) s/o (L) E Chaoba of Telipati Ahongei and assistant (handyman) was reportedly impounded by RPF/PLA activists while it was being washed at Porompat area and later driven towards Uran Chingkhong where it was burnt.

The driver was paraded before the mediapersons today.

Continuing his address, the spokesperson named one Dilai and his non-Manipuri partner identified as Lakhsman of loading the load at the travel agency's Guwahati counter on November 2.As the cartons were being offloaded in Senapati bazar RPF/PLA activists had confiscated the same but amid chaotic scene at that opportune moment neither the driver (carrier) nor the owner/trader could be pulled up.

While Dilai is a resident of Guwahati's Manipuri Basti, Lakhsman hails from Bihar and the vehicle is registered in the name of one Mohonlal of Jorhat (Assam).

Both Dilai and Lakhsman have been asked to surrender to the outfit within five days.

According to Ranjit, who was apprehended this morning, he was handed over Rs 1800 as carriage charge and briefed by Dilai and Lakhsman that three persons would take custody of the betel leaves at the Senapati counter.

Confessing that he was equally responsible for ferrying the item banned by the armed group, Ranjit said he would accept any form of punishment if found involved in such activities in the future.

The spokesperson explained that the bus was burnt as the outfit had banned the transportation of betel leaves to the State from outside.

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