Thiruvananthapuram, Jun 26 (IANS): A shutdown called by the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) against the hike in fuel prices saw most shops and offices closed and public transport off the roads in Kerala Saturday.

Commuters had a tough time getting transport from railway stations and bus stops and many complained about the frequent shutdowns in the state.

"This is too much...so many shutdowns happen only in our state and create problems for the common man," an angry woman told television channels while sitting in a state-owned bus in Kozhikode, hoping service would resume.

The central government Friday ended government curbs on petroleum pricing and hiked the prices of diesel, kerosene and cooking gas. The price of diesel went up by Rs.2 a litre, kerosene by Rs.3 a litre and cooking gas by Rs.35 per cylinder. Petrol will now be costlier by Rs 3.50 a litre.

Finance Minister Thomas Isaac criticised the central government over the hike.

"The central government recently got a huge sum from the 3G spectrum auction and they could have easily channelised that money and not burdened the common man. We will protest against the hike and seek the support of the people," said Isaac.

Attendance in government offices was minimal and the State Public Service Commission cancelled several tests.

Over the last four years, Kerala has seen around 295 shutdowns, of which 18 were called by prominent political parties. The Left and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) called eight shutdowns each while the Congress held two.

"This has now become part of our life and the only way this can end is when people come out strongly against it. I have to take my son for a test to Kochi and this strike has spolit our plans. We are worried about how we will reach there on time," a government employee said here.