Local resident Vinay Kumar with his family unable to visit relatives due to the strike
Fuel dealers in a district of India are on on strike in protest against police failure to check increasing incidents of robberies at petrol stations.
Squarely blaming the state government for the day-long closure of fuel stations, the Ludhiana Petroleum Dealers Association (LPDA) alleged that the police had failed to bust the gangs of robbers who are targeting fuel station employees at will. In a veiled attack at the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) for allotting gunmen to the Youth Akali Dal (YAD) leaders, the LPDA office-bearers alleged that the government was more concerned about providing security to party men and was least bothered about strengthening security at fuel stations.
When asked what kind of security measures they want from the police, a spokesman for the LPDA said: “Who are we to tell the police about security measures. We want gunmen at fuel stations. If the police can provide security to petty politicians, then why cannot they beef up security at fuel stations?” adding that the fuel station employees were working in fear due to the rising robbery incidents.
Customers to petrol stations in the region have been affected. With a number of complaints posted on the Tribune website claiming that this strike affects the poor especially as they have no alternative means to buying fuel, the following quote from one local resident offers a feeling about the problems a strike like this has on the community. "We have only Sunday to go on an outing. I was planning to visit a relative with my wife and children. However, all fuel stations were closed, so I cancelled the visit. It is really disappointing" Vinay Kumar.
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