Patna: Former Bihar chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi along with his HAMS party members took out a protest march here on Thursday against runaway petrol, diesel and cooking gas prices.

The protesters gathered at Ram Ghulam Chowk with posters, banners, and LPG cylinders. Manjhi (73) also walked from Ram Ghulam Chowk to Dakbungalow roundabout along with HAMS state unit president Brishen Patel and other leaders, shouting slogans against chief minister Nitish Kumar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"There is unnecessary hike in the price of petrol, diesel and LPG which directly affects the common man and poor people. People are facing great difficulties due to hike of petrol price and we demand immediate rollback," said Manjhi.

On Thursday, petrol price was reduced by 9 paise and diesel price by 7 paise.

Patel said rise in fuel price has also pushed up price of essential commodities.

"What was the need to increase Rs 50 on LPG, which directly put financial burden on the common man? I will appeal the state government to cut down their tax which they impose on petrol, diesel and LPG ," Patel said.

Fuel prices have also badly affected farmers, he said.

The march started at 10:45am ended at 12:30pm at Dakbungalow. Later, a six-member delegation submitted a memorandum on increase in fuel prices to Governor Satya Pal Malik.