Secretariat turns into battleground after employees clash, journalists assaulted

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram turned into a battleground after a tussle broke out between one treasury staff and another secretariat staff on Monday. The incident took place in the canteen area. Secretariat employees blamed treasury employee Amal for starting the fight citing the unavailability of water. The employees also threatened the journalists who tried to film the act on camera. Some employees rushed towards the cameraman hurling abuses and later threatened to smash the equipment.

Media One reporter Muhammad Ashiq, cameraman Sijo Sudhakaran and driver Sajinlal were assaulted by the employees in the melee.

The Thiruvananthapuram district committee of the Kerala Journalists' Union protested against the shameful incident that took place in the secretariat. Some secretariat employees tried to manhandle journalists after the press conference of Local Self-Government Minister MB Rajesh.

Union District President Schiller Stephen and Secretary Anupama G Nair asked the government and the Chief Secretary to take strict action against the culprits.