From correspondents in Jharkhand, India, 07:31 PM IST

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Thursday burnt an effigy of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and observed 'black day' in Jharkhand to protest against the hike in prices of petrol, diesel and cooking gas.

Hundreds of BJP workers, led by party legislator C.P. Singh, gathered near Albert Ekka roundabout of Ranchi Thursday and burnt the prime minister's effigy. The BJP workers waved black flags and the passers-by were given black ribbons.

'This is a black day for the people of the country. The hike in prices of petrol, diesel and gas cylinder will have an adverse impact on the middle class,' said C.P. Singh.

He said: 'The hike in diesel prices will lead to an increase in prices of food grains and other essential commodities.'

Many petrol pumps were closed Thursday as their stocks had finished after motorists queued up Wednesday night to buy petrol and diesel at the old rates.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)