KOCHI: Petrol pumps will be closed from 6 am to 12 noon on Monday in the state of Kerala. This was informed by the Dealers Association. The protest is alleging that the tanker lorry drivers assaulted the leaders of the Petroleum Dealers Association who came to the HPCL office in Kozhikode for discussion. The pumps in Kozhikode district are closed as a form of protest from 4 pm to 6 pm today.

The association had some problems with the lorry drivers who were delivering fuel from the Hindustan Petroleum Plant in Elathur, Kozhikode. Lorry drivers who deliver fuel are tipped a sum of money. It was 300 rupees. The drivers had raised the demand to increase this amount but the association was of the opinion that it was not possible.

A discussion was held in the presence of the collector last day after the dispute escalated. The dealers were of the position that there was no need to pay the amount of 300 also. Today Elathur HPCL officials had called for a discussion. It was during this discussion that the assault took place. A lightning strike was announced this evening after this.