Lucknow, Sep 26 (IANS): A truck driver in Uttar Pradesh's Chandauli district was Monday beaten to death by four transport department officials for refusing to give a bribe, sparking violent protests by truckers, police said. The officials have been booked for the killing.

Agitated truckers fought pitched battles with police after the death of Amarnath, 45, in Syedraza locality, blockaded the busy Delhi-Kolkata National Highway-2 and tried to set vehicles afire, police said.

Police fired in the air and used force to disperse the protesters seeking the arrest of the erring transport officials.

Police claimed no one was seriously injured in the incident.

"The situation is now under control, but still tense. Additional security has been deployed in the district," Superintendent of Police Shalabh Mathur told reporters in Chandauli, some 300 km from Lucknow.

"Stern action would be taken against the four RTO (regional transport office) officials, who have been charged with killing the truck driver and demanding a bribe from him," he added.