Imphal, Oct 4 (IANS): After a long lull, a non-local man aged about 50 years was found shot dead near Manipur University campus near here on Wednesday, police said.

The victim had been blindfolded and his hands tied before four shots were fired at his chest from close range. "He must have died on the spot," a police officer said.

The body was taken to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal. The victim has not been identified.

Police said the man must have been abducted and interrogated elsewhere and brought near the university to be killed.

Chief Minister N. Biren Singh denounced the murder.

"In the past such killings were the order of the day. However, the gunmen backed out when all sections of people objected," he said.

"Manipuri students and workers are in all states and in case of reprisals many persons will be at the receiving end," he warned.

Opposition leader Okram Ibobi Singh said: "Some daily wage earners and migrants may be killed in Manipur. In case of retaliation, many brilliant students and experts in many fields (elsewhere in the country) will be victimised."

No group has claimed responsibility for the killing.