Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 4 (IANS): Student and youth organisations backed by the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) Friday staged protests across Kerala to protest the hike in petrol prices by Rs.1.82 the day before.

While youth and student organisations of the opposition CPI-M staged demonstrations outside central government offices in several parts of the state, former finance minister Thomas Issac gave notice of an adjournment motion on the issue in the assembly.

Stating that the "responsible government" would do its best to lessen the burden on the people, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy agreed to a discussion on the issue.

The Left-supported motor workers unions also called for a statewide protest Saturday. A meeting at Kozhikode of the Coordination Committee of Motor Workers to discuss the issue saw differences of opinion between unions backed by the Left and the Congress.

While the Left unions wanted joint protests Saturday by not plying buses, taxis and autorickshaws across the state, the Congress-backed unions did not agree. The Left unions then decided to go ahead unilaterally.