New Delhi  - At least 18 people have died after drinking contaminated liquor in Saharanpur district in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, news reports said Friday.

Eighteen people have died since Tuesday, three of them on Friday, IANS news agency reported, citing senior police officials in the district.

"Most of them bought the liquor from Khasauli locality of Deoband area," Amit Chandra, senior superintendent of police was quoted as saying. Deoband is located about
450 kilometres north-west of state capital Lucknow.

"Four wine shops have been sealed in this area. Samples have also been picked up from all the liquor outlets in the district and have been sent for tests," Chandra said.

More than two dozen people have fallen ill and were being treated at different hospitals.

The police has arrested four persons, including the kingpin of a gang involved in manufacturing the contaminated liquor.(dpa)