Bhopal, Sep 25 - Teachers of state-run universities and colleges in Madhya Pradesh returned to work Friday, a day after the high court ordered them to call off their 20-day-old stir for higher pay.

The teachers had gone on strike Sep 5 and were joined by the non-teaching employees a day later, declaring that they will not return to work till their demand is fulfilled.

However, a bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, while hearing a petition of a Jabalpur student, Thursday directed the striking teachers and the non-teaching employees to join duty and said that the strike was not justified.

State Education Minister Archana Chitnis welcomed the court's decision and said: 'The government was unable to do anything because of the agitation of the teachers. Now we will be able to discuss the matter with them and solve the problem.'

The state government also set up a three-member ministerial committee to look into the teacher's demand for salary hike and the financial implications on the state exchequer.

Meanwhile, various teachers' associations have decided to file review petition in the high court and also to file a fresh petition before the Supreme Court.