At least 12 persons, including two women, died after consuming illicit liquor in Patna and another six were admitted to hospitals.

Police have arrested four persons for selling illicit liquor and seized 100 litres of country-made liquor and other.

The incident, which happened in a slum in Mandiri in the heart of Patna, led to violent protests and resentment among local residents.

The slum is a stone's throw from Kotwali police station, the country liquor was sold in violation of law.

"Locals ransacked the shops and also targeted sub-agents involved in the trade," said Mohan Gope, a local resident.

Some of the protestors set two makeshift desi sarab dokan on fire.

Locals said victims vomitted blood and complained of severe chest and stomach pain.

Locals identified some of the victims as Vijay More, 35, Umesh Singh, 40, Sujit Kumar Chai, 27, Ram Lal, 40, Manoj Kumar Yadav, 32, Arun Yadav, 25.

The two women were identified as Kanchan Devi and Bagri Devi.

The police, however, confirmed only four deaths due to spurious liquor consumption.