Sambalpur, July 21: Tension gripped Nuadihi village within the limits of Mahulpali police station today after a 55-year-old man allegedly died during a raid by the excise team. The man has been identified as Meta Lakra.

Irate villagers ransacked a licensed country liquor manufacturing unit at Jarabaga, which is around three kilometres away from Nuadihi village, and set it on fire after the death of Lakra. They also staged a dharna in front of the country liquor manufacturing unit and demanded Rs 20 lakh as compensation for the deceased’s family.

The villagers alleged that Lakra died because of an attack by the excise team during the raid. The villagers also alleged that an employee of the country liquor manufacturing unit was present at the time of the incident and he had a role behind the raid.

Officials of excise department today raided the house of Lakra acting on allegations of him selling country liquor illegally. Lakra and his family members allegedly resisted the excise officials during the raid. However, Lakra fell down on ground during the scuffle and died on the spot. Subsequently, the villagers ransacked the country liquor manufacturing unit at Jarabaga and torched it.

Officials from the district administration and police rushed to the spot to pacify the agitating villagers. The villagers withdrew the agitation after officials assured them of punitive action if anyone was found guilty.

District excise superintendent Dilip Kumar Pradhan, however, refuted the allegation of any attack. He also denied involvement of any excise official in this incident.

Sambalpur police superintendent Prateek Mohanty said: “We have received a complaint in this regard and are inquiring into the matter. The body of the deceased has been sent for post-mortem.”