Some people, all mahadalits, caught dead fish from a muddy pond and cooked it for dinner last night, Mohania's Deputy superintendent of Police (DSP) Suresh Kumar said.
At least eight persons were taken ill after eating the fish preparation, he said.
Two of them, identified as Guddu Mushar (30) and Mutthu Mushar (32), died today, he said.
The six others were being treated by a medical team from the sub-divisional hospital, Kumar said.