KOCHI: While the Motor Vehicle Department is conducting strict safety checks on private buses in the state, the Bus Operators' Federation has hinted that it will go on strike if the bus owners are further tortured.

"The increase in diesel prices and the decrease in the number of passengers have put a huge financial burden on bus owners. We will be forced to stop the service if the transport department officials continue to stop the buses and torture the bus owners in the name of inspection," the federation said.

The statement of the private bus organization came soon after the Kerala High Court directed buses violating the law should not be allowed to run on the roads from tomorrow,

"Officials are stopping the buses and imposing huge fines, making it difficult for the bus owners to operate services. Buses are running after installing the speed governors mentioned by the government. There are not enough shops in the state to repair these speed governors," the federation added.