Kochi: Kerala High Court has pointed out that the headload workers belonging to any trade union have no legal permission to carry out loading and unloading works at Nilackal, Pampa and Sabarimala regions. However, those who are hired by the Devaswom board or the contractors can work here.

The division bench including Justice Anil K Narendran and Justice PG Ajith Kumar directed the police to take strict actions against those who interrupt the work of the headload workers employed by the board. 

The order came up as the court took up a suo motu case based on a report of the Special Commissioner over the porters belonging to unions trying to obstruct the free transport of goods to Sabarimala. 

The court asserted that the temples will not fall under the ambit of headload workers’ union. The goods needed for Sabarimala temple have to be transported in tractors by the workers hired by Devaswom. Those who took shops for bid can also carry goods to the temple, it stated.