Government employees clashed inside secretariat, attacked journalists who tried to shoot the visuals

Thiruvananthapuram: Workers of pro-LDF service organisations clashed inside the Secretariat campus on Monday. The commotion started in the canteen when one employee began a quarrel with a canteen staff member, complaining that drinking water was not served. 

According to eyewitnesses, the scuffle occurred following a quarrel between Amal, an activist of the NGO Union, and a canteen staff member. It is said that Amal hurled a jug of water and grabbed a canteen worker by the neck. Subsequently, canteen workers grouped together and attacked Amal and his friends near the sub-treasury in front of the PR Chamber. 

When media personnel, who had come out from the PR Chamber after the press briefing of LSGD Minister MB Rajesh, tried to capture visuals of the clash, some workers, led by NGO union office bearers, attacked them as well.

During the clash, Media One reporter Muhammad Ashique, cameraman Sijo Sudhakar, and driver Sajin Lal were manhandled by the workers. Later, a video emerged showing an employee shouting at and threatening the reporters and cameramen, stating they would be beaten up and their cameras destroyed.