Kerala HC terms bus, lorry strike illegal

Kochi, Nov 3 (UNI) Kerala High Court today termed the five-day-long strike of state carriages, including buses and lorries, as 'per se illegal' and observed that there could not be any strike against Supreme Court order, which had directed installation of speed governors in heavy vehicles.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice V K Bali and Justice P R Raman made the observations while hearing a petition filed by Mr K U Paul from Kakkanad, Kochi, seeking to declare the strike illegal.

When the petition came up before the bench in the morning, the Chief Justice observed that this was a very serious issue and told the counsel appearing for the bus owners association to withdraw the strike immediately.

The counsel was given a short time to consult his clients. When the hearing was resumed, the counsel informed the court that the bus owners had withdrawn the strike.

The High Court observed that there could not be any strIke against the Supreme Court judgement, which had ordered the installation of speed governors in stage carriages.

The court added that operators should try to resolve their dispute by dialogue and through peaceful methods.

It said the government was at liberty to resort to all measures to put an end to the illegal strike.

Earlier, Advocate General C P Sudhakara Prasad submitted a report on the steps being taken by the government against the strike.

The court then observed that it was not correct to say that the government was inactive and was not taking steps to end the strike.

UNI XR ARC MS KP1542