Imphal, November 15 2010: Normal working at Manipur University Engineering Cell and state electricity department were disturbed today as employees of the two offices ceased work for the day and staged sit-in protests against kidnapping and attacking of officials.

The protests were staged at their respective office premises.

Employees of the MU Engineering Cell were protesting against the kidnapping of a staff of the cell by militants in connection with a huge monetary demand made to the office.

On November 11, a section officer of the Engineering Cell, Thongam Dolal of Khongman Zone-V was kidnapped by suspected PREPAK cadres in connection with a demand of Rs 60 lakh.

He was reportedly kidnapped on his way to office.

Decrying the kidnapping of their colleague for ransom and demanding his unconditional release, employees of the Engineering Cell staged the sit-in protest.

They strongly criticized the act of the militants of kidnapping people for ransom.

They also appealed to the militants not to impose such a heavy and unbearable monetary demand on them.

They insisted to be left alone to work freely without any disturbances.

They lamented on the frequent disturbances which has hampered developmental work of the only University in the state.

Locals of Khongman Zone-V (west) where the SO hails from also staged a sit in protest in front of the main gate of the University from 10 am till 4 pm.

They also pressed the concerned militant group to release Dolal unharmed on humanitarian grounds.

They also strongly denounced the act of kidnapping people for ransom.

Employees of the state electricity department also staged a sit-in protest against UGs for frequently making engineers and officials of the department as targets.

Their working has been greatly disturbed by the unending pressure of a number militants outfits.

They also strongly condemned the attack at the residence of an executive engineer of the department, Leishangthem Joychandra at Uripok Polem Leikai in Imphal west on November 11 .

A failed hand grenade attack was carried out by UGs at the house of the EE who is posted at Thoubal District headquarters.

Such kinds of attacks had been launched many times at the houses of engineers and officials of the department, employees taking part in the protest lamented.

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