KOCHI: The High Court stayed the strike of government employees. A bench led by the Chief Justice pointed that the government officials have no right to strike and this is made clear in the service rules.

The high court directed the government to issue an immediate order stopping the strike. The court intervened on a plea filed by a lawyer from Thiruvananthapuram. The government's move is to consider as paid leave to employees taking leave today and tomorrow. The petitioner demanded that this is illegal and should be prevented.

Violence broke out in many parts of Kerala during the first twelve hours of the 48-hour strike. Those who came to work were stopped and sent back. The protestors even blocked private vehicles. Necessary services such as hospitals, ambulances, pharmacies, milk, newspapers, fire and rescue are excluded from the strike.