Kozhikode: Petrol pumps across Kerala will remain closed until noon on Monday in protest of the alleged assault on association leaders by tanker lorry drivers' union members during a discussion at the HPCL office in Kozhikode.

Truck drivers in Kozhikode allegedly carried out the attack. The All Kerala Federation of Petroleum Dealers (AKFPT) called for the strike. Petrol pumps operated by HPCL, BPCL, and IOC are shut from 6 am to 12 noon, according to AKFPT.

"All petrol pumps associated with the Federation (dealers of the central government's petroleum producers) are closed. Many private petrol stations have also closed in solidarity with our protest," a representative of the Federation told Onmanorama.

However, petrol pumps in Ranni, Konni, Kozhanchery, Adoor Taluks, and Chengannur Municipality have been exempted from the strike, considering the ongoing Sabarimala pilgrimage season.

The protest was triggered by an alleged attack on leaders of the district petroleum dealers' association at the HPCL office in Elathur, Kozhikode. The leaders had visited the office to discuss the ongoing dispute over a proposed hike in the dearness allowance for truck drivers.

The truck drivers demanded an increase in their allowance, and the dealers contended that this matter fell outside their responsibility.