The Tongan government was this afternoon ordered by the Chief Justice to refrain from removing the public from Pangai Si'i, where rallies have been held for the past three weeks during the national strike by civil servants.

After the police moved in to shut down Pangai Si'i yesterday the PSA had been waiting on the streets for the decision, which was greeted with joy and cheering.

Chief Justice Robin Webster, in the Land Court of Tonga, ordered that the Police and servants and agents of the Government of Tonga are to refrain from removing the members of the Public Service Association, civil servants and the public from Pangai Si'i.

"This interlocutory injunction is granted on condition that (a) that use of Pangai Si'i is peaceable and without disorder; and (b) especially during working hours noise is kept to a reasonable volume."

The Chief Justice decided that the interlocutory injunction will continue to Monday 5 September with leave to either party to apply for its variation, and the defendant is allowed to 2 September to file a statement of defence.

The action was taken by Finau Tutone, as chairman of the Interim Committee of Civil Servants on Stop Work, against the defendant the Kingdom of Tonga sued in respect of the Prime Minister, and Cabinet, Ministry of Lands and Ministry of Police.

Clive Edwards was the counsel for the plaintiff.

After the decision was announced, Fotu Fisi'iahi said that they would now go home and they would return for a Sunday service at 2 p.m.

After that they will march to a religious rally to be held at the Teufaiva Stadium at 5 p.m. on Sunday.