A section of tanker lorry operators resorted to a flash strike near the Indian Oil Corporation’s plant at Feroke in Kozhikode district of Kerala on Thursday alleging police inaction over arresting a motorcycle rider who attacked a tanker lorry and its crew at Thondayad on July 29.

The protesters complained that the Medical College police failed to register a First Information Report on time based on their petition and track the suspect who fled the scene immediately after the incident.

According to them, the motorcycle rider slashed the tanker lorry’s tyre with a knife alleging that its driver did not give him way on the highway during an overtaking attempt.

A group of trade union leaders who came in support of the flash strike said they would proceed with an indefinite strike if the police failed to arrest the suspect at large. They also claimed that over 250 tanker lorry drivers would join the protest, which would disrupt the fuel supply in various northern Kerala districts.

Police deny delay

Meanwhile, police officers from the Medical College station said they had already recovered CCTV visuals from various locations as part of the probe initiated into the incident. They also denied the allegations that there was delay in registering the FIR.

Published - July 30, 2026 03:18 pm IST