Officials in eastern India said Sunday at least 15 people died after consuming a batch of tainted homemade liquor over the weekend.

The officials said some 24 others are being treated in hospitals in the Krishna district in Andhra Pradesh state.

The victims, mostly poor laborers, became sick after buying cheap alcohol from bootleggers for New Year celebrations.

The deaths sparked off a protest among locals who asked the authorities to investigate and arrest the bootleggers.

Alcohol poisoning kills hundreds of people in India every year. Last month, more than 155 people died in West Bengal state after drinking toxic alcohol. Police have arrested 12 people for allegedly making and distributing that home-brewed liquor.