Lorry strike called off

Lorry operators in Kerala have called of their five-day long strike following a meeting with state transport minister Mathew T Thomas late on Thursday night.

Following the talks and the decision to withdraw the strike, the transport minister clarified to the media that no fresh assurance was given to fleet operators. He added that it was made clear that it was impractical to implement the Supreme Court's directive on this matter in Kerala alone.

The strike had proved difficult for the consumers in the state as essential commodities and LPG were stuck at different spots along the highways.

The strike was in protest against the state government's move to make speed governors mandatory for heavy vehicles and also a roll-back in the motor vehicle tax.