In Uttar Pradesh, workers from different non BJP parties including Congress and Samajwadi Party today staged demonstrations and tried to block railway tracks at different places protesting against the hike in rail fares announced by the government.

AIR correspondent reports that Samajwadi Party workers tried to block trains movements at Prayag railway station in Allahabad. They stopped Lucknow bound Ganga Gomati express train about half an hour in the morning hours raising slogans against the centre and BJP.

In Varanasi protesters burnt effigies in front of the Kashi Railway station. In Kanpur, Congress workers held placards, shouted slogans and burnt Union Railway Minister's effigy demanding an immediate rollback in the fares.

In the state capital Lucknow, scuffle took place between BJP and protesting Samajwadi Party workers in front UP Assembly. BJP workers pelted stones on protesting brigade. SP workers also retaliated and pelted stones and bricks on BJP office situated in front assembly.

Several workers from both sides were injured and vehicles were damaged. Later on BJP leaders under leadership party state unit President Laxmi Kant Vajpayee staged Dharna at the camp office of district police chief seeking action against SP workers for attacking BJP office and damaging the properties.

Congress workers also staged a demonstration in front of Uttar Pradesh Vidhan Sabha and torched an effigy of Union Railway Minister Sadanand Gowda. Meanwhile, terming hike in rail fares as betrayal by the NDA-led Union government Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee has announced that it would stage a state-wide Dharna tomorrow.

In Kerala, Youth Congress workers today blocked trains at various places in the state in protest against the hike in railway fare and freight. The workers blocked the Kanyakumari-bound Island Express from Bangalore at nearby Aluva station and raised slogans against the hike.

The protesters also also blocked the Palakkad-Ernakulam train at the North railway station. Similar protest was also held in Thiruvananthapuram Central station.The protesters, led by Dean Kuriakose, state President of Youth Congress, demanded roll back of the fares.

Police arrested the activists and Railway Protection Force has registered cases against them.