Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) employees in Manipur on Saturday launched a sit-in protest in Imphal against the abduction of Deputy General Manager J Lumkim and demanded his immediate release.

The employees, including senior officials, began their day-long protest in the morning in front of the BSNL building in capital Imphal with placards saying 'Don't trouble innocent civilians,' 'Stop kidnapping business in Manipur'.

Official sources said activists of the underground Kuki Liberation Army (KLA) abducted Lumkim from the Molnom area in Thoubal district on February 18 and later demanded Rs three million (Rs 30 lakh) for his release.

Police, aided by para-military forces, is trying to secure his release.