Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 29 : The Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), a trade union in Kerala, on Tuesday called for a shutdown in the state emphasising that the increase in prices of essential commodities has disrupted the normal life.

The 12-hour shutdown began at 6am.

BMS activist also staged a demo and raised slogans against the state government for price rise.

"After 2006, the prices have tripled. It has affected the normal employees, as they are not given enough salaries. And the government is not taking action. We want an immediate action," said K. Chandrashekar, deputy general Secretary of BMS.

The protest also marks the failure of Left Democratic Front government in the state, he added.

The essential services like milk, wedding, ambulances and hospitals are exempted from the shutdown.

The shutdown was mostly peaceful, but some incidents of small violence were reported from the interior parts of Thiruvananthapuram district.

The BMS supporters stoned Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KRTC) buses during the shutdown at some places.

Attendance in government offices was low and the University examinations were postponed due to the shutdown. (ANI)