At least 11 children have died and several others seriously ill after eating suspected poisonous food at a public school in the eastern Indian state of Bihar Tuesday, said police.

The incident took place in Dharamsati primary school in Masrakh in Saran district of Bihar, one of the poorest states of India, according to local TV Times Now.

The TV channel quoted police as saying more than 50 children aged from eight to 12 fell sick and began vomiting and losing conscience after consuming khichdi, a local food made of rice and bean.

Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar has offered a compensation of 200,000 rupees ($3,300) for each victim.

Hundreds of people took to the streets in protest and surrounded the local police station asking for the arrest of the principal of the school and teachers responsible for the tragedy.

Forensic team has been sent to take sample of the contaminated food and blood from the school children.