<span style="color: #222222;">In Kerala, normal life was completely thrown out of gear following the 48-hour nation-wide strike called by trade unions in support of their various demands.<br />''<br />''Shops, business establishments, offices of private firms, and markets across the state remained closed in most places, while state-run and private buses remained off the road. Private vehicles, largely two-wheelers were seen plying.<br />''<br />''The strike did not affect the functioning of the software parks in the state.<br />''<br />''In the industrial hub of Kochi, production in various public sector undertakings including the Cochin Shipyard, FACT, and the BPCL Cochin Refineries was not affected. However, road movement of petroleum products from Cochin Refineries was hit. Reports said some workers at the Cochin Refineries were turned away by the strike supporters, despite a Kerala High Court order not to disrupt work. Official sources said major trade unions of the Cochin Port are not participating in the strike.<br />''<br />''The strike did not affect Pallikkara, a town near Kizhakkambalam in Ernakulam district, following a High Court order to provide protection to the traders who wished to open their shops.<br />''<br />''Many passengers who arrived in the state from different parts of the country had to spend several hours at bus and railway stations due to the non-availability of other means of transport.</span><br />