Pratapgarh (Uttar Pradesh), Sep 22 (IANS): Eight policemen, including a Sub-Inspector, posted at the Sangipur police station of Pratapgarh district, have been sent to the lines after an elderly man died while they were raiding a house.

Inspector General of Police (Prayagraj range) K. P. Singh told reporters, "A team of eight policemen led by a Sub-Inspector and officiating Station Officer of the Sangipur police station had conducted a raid on a house at the Babutara Majra village in Lalganj police station area, in search of an accused. A 65-year-old man of the family died an hour after the raid on Saturday night."

The family members of the deceased Maqbool, 65, gave a complaint to senior police officials on Sunday alleging that he died due to police high-handedness.

"A probe has been ordered into the incident and the policemen sent to lines so that the inquiry is not affected," the IG said.

The Pratapgarh Police, however, said the old man himself ran from the house on seeing the police personnel.

The family had refused to perform the last rites of the deceased on Monday demanding action against the policemen.

They relented only after being informed that a probe had been set up and the police personnel were sent to lines.

The funeral of the deceased was carried out on Monday evening amidst tight security.