A petrol pump manager was beaten and a journalist was assaulted while reporting on alleged fuel stockpiling as tensions escalated into violence over fuel shortages in Natore on Tuesday night.

A local youth allegedly attacked Sanu Saha, manager of Natore Petroleum Agency in Hafrasta area around 9am, after being denied petrol in a jerrycan, leaving him injured.

Later the attacker fled the spot after being chased by locals.

Officer-in-charge of Natore Sadar Police Station Shafiqul Islam said legal action would be taken upon receiving a formal complaint.

Meanwhile, bikers blocked Natore-Dhaka highway in Mokrampur area after a nearby filling station ran out of fuel, causing a long tailback on the busy road.

Police from Jhalmalia Highway Police Station brought the situation under control, said its officer-in-charge Mahabur Rahman.

In another incident the same night, local journalist Omar Faruk was assaulted by miscreants while attempting to take photographs of petrol being stored in drums illegally at a filling station in Lalpur area.