The much publicised tendu leaf collection in Madhya Pradesh through the primary cooperative societies of tribals and weaker sections has started showing strains. There is also ample evidence to indicate that vested interest with strong political roots may be involved in the large scale theft of tendu leaf and manipulation of collection records. In a recent case that has come to light, two trucks loaded with tendu leaf were caught by the forest authorities at Raheli in Sagar district on August 12 without valid documents.