In Dombvili and Thane, MNS activists pelted stones at the exam centres and tore up the exam papers.

A total of 15 MNS workers were arrested on charges of rioting in Thane, police said.

In Sholapur district, the home district of central Power Minister Sushilkumar Shinde, MNS workers attempted to force their way into an examination centre but were stopped by police.

Mumbai Regional Congress Committee (MRCC) president Kripa Shankar Singh reacted sharply to the MNS attacks on north Indians, terming them as "anti-Maharashtrian culture."

Singh asked why should the MNS stop genuine candidates from appearing for the examinations when nobody has stopped Maharashtrian youth from applying.

In Latur, neighbouring district of Sholapur, Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh criticised the MNS move and warned of strict action if they tried to break the law.

Deshmukh was informed of the MNS agitation shortly after Shinde flagged off a new direct train service linking Mumbai with Latur, the chief minister's home town.

Ensure safety of Bihari students, Nitish tells Deshmukh

Condemning the attacks on Bihari candidates by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) activists during Railway Board Examinations in Mumbai, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday asked his Maharashtra counterpart to ensure the safety of the students from the state there.

In a telephonic conversation with Vilas Rao Deshmukh, Kumar termed the MNS activists as divisive forces and demanded stern action against them.