Patna

At least four people died and three fell critically ill after drinking spurious liquor in Bihar's Nalanda district on Saturday morning.

The family members of the deceased claimed that they had consumed country-made liquor on Friday afternoon and their condition deteriorated in the night.

Sunil Kumar, a relative of one of the victims, Manna Mishtri (55), said: "He returned home after drinking. His health deteriorated around 11 pm. We immediately took him to Sadar Hospital where he died while undergoing treatment around 4 am," said Sunil Kumar, a relative of one of the victims, Manna Mishtri (55).

He alleged that the country liquor was being manufactured in Choti Pahari area for several months.

Two other victims were identified as Bhago Mistri (55) and Dharmendra alias Nageshwar. The fourth person has not been identified yet. The critically ill people are admitted to Sadar hospital.

The incident occurred in Choti Pahari locality under Sohsarai police station in Nalanda district which is also the home district of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar who has banned liquor in the state.

Following the incident, Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Shibli Nomani and Sohsarai Station House Officer (SHO) Suresh Prasad reached the spot for investigation. The officers said the post-mortem will confirm whether the men actually died of poisoning by illicit alcohol.

Two other persons also died after drinking illicit liquor in Hargawa village under Manpur police station.