A team of Imphal West Police today conducted search operation at Yaiskul Hiruhanba Leikai and Bamon Leikai, Nahabam leikai early morning today at around 5 am simultaneously. At least 5 non locals and 4 local persons were picked up for verification. The search operation is being conducted to flush out anti social elements from Imphal area ahead of the Sangai Tourism Festival scheduled from Nov. 21, a police source said. Mentioned may be made that two armed groups KCP Poirei Meitei Lup and URF had threaten to disturb the Sangai Festival. Since the armed group had threaten to disturb the Sangai festival state police had been gearing up to flush out anti social elements from Imphal area since the last couple of days.