Thiruvananthapuram: In a shocking incident during Wednesday's 24-hour nationwide general strike, protesters locked the main gate of Government LP school in Aruvikkara from the outside, trapping five teachers who had reported for duty.

According to police, the incident happened after the teachers chose to work despite the strike call, which angered pro-strike supporters.

The protesters locked the school gate from the outside and reportedly left the area with the keys. Even after school hours ended, the gate remained locked, prompting police intervention.

A police team led by the Aruvikkara Circle Inspector arrived at the scene and forcibly broke the lock to free the teachers.

A similar incident was reported at Aruvikkara Higher Secondary School, where 11 teachers, including 10 women, were present when the gate was locked by protesters. However, following the police action at the LP school, the protestors returned in the evening and opened the gate voluntarily.

Meanwhile, Kerala witnessed a near-total shutdown on Wednesday as a result of the strike called by trade unions to protest the Centre's "anti-labour" policies, which brought daily life to a standstill.

Shops, offices and schools remained shut, while public vehicles stayed off the roads, leaving the streets deserted in the state.

Cutting across cities, towns and villages, the CPI(M)-ruled southern state is experiencing a complete shutdown after the strike began Tuesday midnight.

Only private vehicles could be seen plying on the state roads, and several people were stranded in bus stands and railway stations in many places.

Police personnel came to their rescue in several areas and ferried them in official vehicles to their respective destinations, including hospitals.

Protesters, belonging to various trade unions, took out marches raising slogans against the union government across the state and stopped buses and autos that attempted to operate.