Protests disrupt rail services in Orissa

Indian police arrested hundreds of demonstrators who disrupted rail transport in the eastern state of Orissa on Sunday.

The authorities say the protests left hundreds of rail passengers stranded.

Several former ministers, legislators and supporters of the opposition Congress party were among those detained.

The state Congress chief, Sarat Patnaik, alleged that India's central government, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has not provided the necessary financial support for rail projects in Orissa.

The BJP is the alliance partner of the governing Biju Janata Dal, a regional party.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service