Imphal, Aug. 15 -- Normal life in Manipur was disrupted on Friday due to an 18-hour general strike called by ten armed rebel groups. The strike, which began at 5:00 AM, was organized to protest India's 79th Independence Day celebrations.

The groups, including the Coordination Committee (CorCom), a coalition of six major armed factions, called for a boycott to mark their opposition to Manipur's merger with India in 1949.

Security measures were heightened across the state, particularly in Imphal, where the state-level Independence Day events were held.

Armed police and security personnel were deployed at strategic locations to maintain order and prevent disturbances during the observance of the national holiday.

The strike had a noticea...