Mumbai, Dec 12 (IANS): A benchmark index for Indian equities Monday fell sharply to provisionally close 354 points lower as markets reacted negatively to latest data which showed that industrial output had contracted to 5.1 percent.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at higher 16,354.96 points, closed at 15,859.31 points (provisional), 354.12 points or 2.18 percent down from its previous close at 16,213.46 points.

The 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange also ended in the red at 4,761.95 points, down 2.15 percent or 104.75 points from its previous close.

India's industrial production saw a staggering decline in October, with a negative shrinkage of minus 5.1 percent in output mainly owing to huge fall in manufacturing and mining sectors.

Manufacturing output registered a negative growth of (-) 6 percent, while mining activity declined to (-) 7.2 percent.

Broader markets too ended in losses with the BSE 500 index closing 2.15 percent lower. The BSE midcap index ended 2.08 percent down while the BSE small cap index shed 1.62 percent lower.