Petroleum dealers, on Wednesday, threatened to go on strike if their demands, including increased security for fuel outlets and strict action on those who attacked the employees of a Thoothukudi outlet, were not met.
Tamil Nadu Petroleum Dealers’ Association president K.P. Murali, who has written to senior officials such as the Chief Secretary and the Director-General of Police, said their demands included invoking the Goondas Act on the perpetrators of the crime, a crackdown on drugs, and an Act for the protection of front-line petroleum workers. “If action is not taken immediately, we will have no other go but to go on a day-long strike.” The organisation represents 7,000 dealers and over a lakh employees.
He condemned the armed gang attack at an Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. pump at Keelaarasaradi in Thoothukudi on May 30, where one of the gang members urinated on a staffer for being told to use the restroom, instead of using the space near the dispensing unit as a toilet. The gang left but returned within an hour with more men and weapons, including long sickles, knives, and glass bottles.
While two employees managed to lock themselves in utility rooms, the gang trapped another staff member and inflicted severe head injuries on him. They then went on a rampage, smashing glass facades, severely damaging fuel dispensing equipment, and destroying parts of the generator installation before fleeing.
K. Suresh Kumar, Consortium of India Petroleum Dealers, said this showed the plight of retail outlets in the country. The operation of retail outlets in the country was becoming a tough proposition. While getting quality manpower is a big issue, such incidents by unruly customers make the HR aspect more complicated. Self-service is the only option to overcome this crisis, he said.
Another dealer said: “We want reassurance from the State government that our facilities will be safe to operate. The boys in that pump handled the first situation very calmly, despite being spat and urinated on. The attack with the sickles was unexpected. Petroleum pumps are places where the public come in large numbers. If something happens to someone, who will be held responsible,” he asked.
Published – June 03, 2026 11:37 pm IST
