The violence raging in Kerala since the high court quashed a government ban on sale of Coca-Cola and Pepsi was almost defended by Kerala Chief Minister V Achutanandan, saying such protests were 'natural.'

The chief minister said the protests were a 'natural response' by people who were facing a water crisis because of the cola companies. It is up to the Centre to formulate guidelines for production and sale of cola, he said terming cola as a hazardous material.

The state has witnessed violent protests over the issue with several youth wing activists attacking vehicles of cola companies and destroying cola bottles.

The Kerala government had earlier said it was exploring 'legal steps' on how to enforce the ban on Coca-Cola and Pepsi in the wake of the high court order.

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