But people and the rights group are alleging that Sanjit was killed in a fake gun battle and passed off as a guerrilla.

Protests erupted after local media Sunday reproduced pictures carried by a New Delhi-based web portal Saturday, depicting some police commandos surrounding and taking Sanjit into a pharmacy in Imphal and later bringing out his body.

Sanjit, a former member of the banned People's Liberation of Army, had surrendered to the government few years back.

Condemning the killing, the United Committee of Manipur (UCM) and several other organisations have demanded resignation of Chief Minister Ibobi Singh.