Petrol dealers warn of shutdown

Madurai: Tamil Nadu Petrol Dealers Association (TNPDA) has warned of a one-day statewide shutdown of fuel outlets if the govt fails to intervene in the machete attack at a petrol bunk in Thoothukudi and the subsequent police handling of the case.

Association president K P Murali said all 7,000 fuel retail outlets across the state could suspend sales in protest over attacks on petrol bunk staff and concerns over the seizure of surveillance equipment by police. According to Murali, the incident occurred at an Indian Oil outlet where a group allegedly misbehaved with employees after being asked not to urinate near the fuel dispensing area.

“After about an hour, they returned to the same place with a gang of around ten people. They came with dangerous weapons. They had machetes, rods and iron rods. They targeted the staff who had stopped them earlier and tried to assault them,” Murali said.

He said the employees took shelter inside a room while the group damaged property belonging to the public sector oil company. He urged the district administration to identify and arrest those responsible and sought stronger action against drug abuse. He criticised police for removing the Digital Video Recorder (DVR) from the outlet’s surveillance system.