A worker of a filling station was stabbed by a customer after allegedly refusing to sell fuel shortly before iftar in Sylhet city on Monday evening.

The injured worker, Mithu Goala, at Uttara Petrol Pump, was taken to Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital, where he was provided treatment, said Soumen Moitra, officer-in-charge (investigation) of Airport Police Station.

The incident took place at the filling station in the Chowkidekhi area of Sylhet city.

According to police, a customer went to the fuel pump about two minutes before iftar and asked for fuel. As workers were preparing to break their fast, they asked him to come later. An argument broke out between the customer and the pump workers and he eventually left.

Police said the customer later returned to the pump after iftar and stabbed Mithu Goala before fleeing the scene.

Mithu’s colleagues rescued him and rushed him to Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital.

OC Soumen said Mithu was currently out of danger and police were working to identify and arrest the accused.

Meanwhile, filling station owners in Sylhet division have announced a symbolic half-day strike on Tuesday to protest the attack, demanding measures to ensure the safety of pump workers.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the Sylhet divisional committee of the Bangladesh Petroleum Dealers, Distributors, Agents and Petrol Pump Owners Association.

According to the organisation, all filling stations in Sylhet division will remain closed from 6:00am to 2:00pm on Tuesday.

Acting president of the association Barrister Riashad Azim Adnan confirmed the news of the strike on Monday night.