New Delhi, Mar 3: Disturbances over attacks on North Indians in Maharashtra and Opposition demand for a statement on a rail accident in Gujarat on Monday disrupted proceedings in the Lok Sabha, forcing its adjournment twice.

Soon after the House assembled on Monday afternoon following a brief adjournment, JD(U) and RJD members were on their feet protesting the attacks in Maharashtra, even as BJP members from Gujarat wanted a statement from Railway Minister Lalu Prasad on the accident which claimed 18 lives.

The disturbances occurred after Speaker Somnath Chatterjee asked Ministers and others to table the papers and External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee to make a statement on foreign policy issues in the House.

BJP member Harin Pathak wanted Prasad to make a statement on the accident in which 18 people were run over by a train in Udhana area near Surat on the night of February 27-28.

As Pathak was supported by his party colleagues in raising the matter, JD(U) and RJD members vociferously demanded that the government should come out with a statement on the attacks on non-Maharashtrians in Mumbai.

As the din continued, the Speaker adjourned the House till 1400 hours.