Imphal, April 20 2010: Passengers of an inter-State bus brought from Guwahati in a deceitful manner amidst the ongoing blockade called by ANSAM were left high and dry at Mao.

With the false promise of taking them to Imphal, a travel agency issued tickets to passengers at Rs 600 per passenger beyond the capacity of the bus.

The bus left Guwahati last night and reached Mao at about noon today.

There, the bus driver and his assistants told the passengers that they could not proceed any further.

Earlier, the bus was delayed at every check-point as it did not possess inter-State transport permit, said a group of passengers who arrived at Imphal this evening after hiring taxis.

The bus reached Mao only after negotiation by passengers at each check-point.

When the passengers asked the bus driver and its crew to arrange alternative mode of travel by hiring taxis or arrange accommodation till the blockade is lifted, the crew said they could not make any such arrangement.

At last, 19 passengers including Army sports persons hired two Tata Sumos at their own expense and reached Senapati.

From Senapati, they hired a Tata DI truck and came to Imphal.

However, some passengers who have shortage of money to hire taxis have been left at Mao.

The Seven Sister Travels reportedly said that bus fare was hiked to Rs 600 per passenger as the bus would be escorted by security personnel.

Because of the blockade, more than 210 loaded trucks are currently stranded at Mao Gate.