Imphal, Oct. 20 -- A 44-year-old man was shot dead in Manipur's Kangpokpi district on Tuesday, prompting local youth groups and village authorities to condemn the killing and call for better civilian security.

They blamed the incident on security gaps following the withdrawal of security forces from the area.

According to joint statements issued on Tuesday by the Kuki Youth Organization (KYO) Leimakhong Block, the P. Muolding Village Authority and the P. Muolding Youth Club, Paolenmung Thangeo was killed at around 7 am.

Thangeo and his companion, Laldenga, had gone into a forest near P. Muolding village to collect bamboo shoots when armed men attacked them. Laldenga escaped, but Thangeo sustained fatal injuries.

The P. Muolding Villag...