Patna: Following the complete ban on liquor in Bihar, four people died after consuming spurious liquor, police said on Wednesday.

Three friends died in Patna after drinking liquor on Tuesday. Fearing police action their families cremated them in a hurry, the police said.

According to the police, the three complained of uneasiness after drinking the alcohol. They were admitted to a private hospital where all three died.

"We have detained two people in this connection and a probe is on," a police official said.

Another youth died and three people fell ill in Gaya after consuming spurious liquor on Tuesday. They were admitted to a private hospital for treatment.

The deaths of four people after consuming spurious liquor have exposed the loophole in implementing the complete liquor ban and the police failure to check the movement of liquor.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has repeatedly directed police to act against those violating the ban.

The state government had announced a complete liquor ban from April 5.

Banning liquor was one of the main poll promises the Grand Alliance made in the Bihar assembly elections.

Experts said the ban would cost the state government Rs.4,000 crore in revenue annually.