Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala government on July 16 banned the strike by operators of trucks and commercial vehicles under the Kerala Essential Services Maintenance Act (KESMA), as the stir entered the second day, affecting movement of freight and causing hardship to the people.

The government order covered the operation of trucks, truckers, lorries, contract carriages and commercial vehicles, official sources said.

The strike, called by owners' associations demanding rollback of the recent hike in vehicle taxes, had seriously affected vehicle operations in the state, which relies heavily on neighbouring sates for provisions and vegetables.

Kerala Transport Minister R Balakrishna Pillai had on July 15 urged truck owners to come forward for talks with the government on the issue.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister A K Antony termed the strike as "inopportune" and said government had lifted the restrictions on bringing vegetables in transport buses and other private vehicles.

Addressing reporters after a Cabinet meeting, he also wanted the owners to call off the strike immediately in view of the difficulties faced by the people.

PTI