Cops had to encounter violence from an unruly mob after a police patrol car hit a cyclist on National Highway 31 causing his death.

Police resorted to firing to disperse the mob, which indulged in arson, stone pelting and road blockade under the jurisdiction of Laheri police station in Nalanda district on Thursday.

There were however no reports of any injury or death due to the police firing. The patrol car had hit Mahendra Sao (45), the victim, a resident of Sipah village in Nalanda district, near Kisanbagh village around 10pm on Wednesday. He later died during the treatment at a nearby hospital.

The station house officer (SHO) of Laheri police station, Rajesh Ranjan, said: "The protesters attacked police when they intervened and tried to restore traffic on the busy road. About six policemen suffered injuries in the attack."

The police later resorted to firing, as the protesters were adamant on their demand for the visit of senior officials, including district magistrate and the superintendent of police, at the spot. The situation was brought under control after the intervention of superintendent of police (SP), Vivekanand, who rushed with additional forces.

The residents alleged that the driver of the police vehicle was in an inebriated state at the time of the accident.

Nalanda SP Vivekanand told The Telegraph: "The driver, identified as Bipin, a retired army jawan, has been arrested and forwarded to judicial custody. In addition, police have detained four persons in connection with the attack on police and road blockade."