GUWAHATI: Weapons, ammunition and explosives were seized during search operations in five districts of strife-torn Manipur as security agencies went into overdrive against the backdrop of militant outfits calling for a boycott of Independence Day celebrations planned by the government across the hill and valley districts.Manipur Police tweeted from its official handle that joint raids by central and state forces in Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Bishnupur and Churachandpur districts over the weekend yielded 12 weapons along with some ammunition and eight explosives.There was no mention of whether these weapons were part of the loot carried away by mobs from armouries of the state forces.CorCom (Coordination Committee), a conglomerate of Manipur's major armed militant groups, has routinely called for a general strike and boycott of all Independence Day events.

The general strike is from 1am till 6.30pm on August 15, with essential services like medical, electricity, water supply, fire service, media and religious observances exempted.Officials said students would be part of the Independence Day parade in Imphal alongside paramilitary forces and state police personnel."The last four-five days have been relatively peaceful, but there may be a last-minute attempt ahead of I-Day by some groups to storm areas of other ethnic groups.

Police are on high alert in Kangpokpi, Churachandpur, Bishnupur and Imphal West, based on specific inputs about possible such attempts," a source in the security establishment said.In the "buffer zone", security forces are keeping a hawk's eye on groups that might try to overlap each other's territory.

In relatively peaceful districts, up to 22 contingents are taking part in Independence Day rehearsals like in previous years.