Lucknow, Aug 3 - A youth died in police custody early Monday in Uttar Pradesh's Bareilly district after he was allegedly beaten by policemen, officials said. Family members and villagers halted traffic to protest the killing.

An inspector and a constable, who are absconding after the incident, have been charged with murder.

The Bhojipura police detained three brick kiln workers -- identified as Saleem, Ahmed and Chote -- near the railway station Sunday and took them into custody for questioning.

'Over half a dozen cops started beating us. Saleem started vomiting later in the night and died early Monday. Sensing trouble, the cops released me and Ahmed from the police station and also threatened us to keep quiet,' Chote, one of the youth detained by the police, told reporters.

The three worked in a brick kiln in neighbouring Lakhimpur Khiri district and were returning home after collecting their wages Sunday.