Officers of India's third largest oil firm Hindustan Petroleum Corp on Thursday began an indefinite hunger strike in Mumbai complaining against the "autocratic" style of company management.

"The officers have gone on hunger strike at Azad Maiden (in Mumbai)," Hindustan Petroleum management staff association president Ashok Singh said in a press release in New Delhi.

The Divestment Development: Complete Coverage

He said about 2500 officers are boycotting company lunch and working two hours extra from January 15 in protest against alleged violation of procedures and policies laid down by the government for conduct of business in a public sector undertaking.

The association demanded release of promotions of the officers and conclusion of vigilance cases within 180 days. It alleged that HPCL's overseas investments and expenditures may not withstand scrutiny of law and "several decision taken by the management whether in exports or the marketing discipline are in gross violation of the laid down policy guidelines."