KOCHI: The High Court on Friday directed the state government to take legal action against those conducting protests in violation of Covid-19 guidelines. The court's direction came while considering petitions filed by Adv John Numbeli and others seeking action against protesters violating COVID protocol.

A division bench comprising chief justice S Manikumar and justice Shaji P Chaly said violators can be booked under provisions of Disaster Management Act.

State government has informed the court that it is taking legal action against violators. A counsel representing UDF convenor submitted that police have used force against protestors at a large scale and it is not disclosed in the photographs produced before the court.

Statewide protests from the opposition parties continued on the seventh day demanding the resignation of minister KT Jaleel.