At least 30 journalists were assaulted while taking photos of a clash that broke out between Awami League (AL) and Bangladesh Chhatra League (AL) men in Barishal on Wednesday (May 18).

The incident happened at the residence of Jubo League joint convener Mahmudul Haque Khan Mamun.

According to information, the clash broke out between two factions of Awami League and Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) after a meeting of public representatives of Sadar upazila with Awami League candidate Abul Khair Abdullah Khokon Serniabat regarding Barishal City Corporation election last night.

The eyewitnesses said followers of State Minister for Water Resources Zahid Faruk, Awami League leader Shahidul Islam and District Chhatra League vice-president Zobayer Abdullah Jinnah got involved in a dispute over the distribution of packets and giving speeches after the opinion exchange meeting of the AL-backed mayoral candidate. Then there was a scuffle between the two groups.

Later, journalists were confined by supporters of Shahidul and Jinnah, when they went there to take photos of the clash. Later, the situation calmed down with the intervention of senior leaders, said the eyewitnesses.

Azim Sharif, cameraperson of Asian Television, said, "BCL men hit our cameras when we went to film the scuffle. We also had a fight over this. At one point, about 30-35 of my colleagues, including I, were locked in a room. Later, senior leaders of Awami League came and freed us."

Mahmudul Haque Khan Mamun, joint convener of the Metropolitan Jubo League, said there was a problem over trivial issues. The matter was later settled.

BDST: 1147 HRS, MAY 18, 2023
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