Rangpur: Barrister Mainul Hosein was assaulted allegedly by some leaders and activists of Awami League while he was being produced before the Rangpur Chief Judicial Magistrate Court on Sunday.

Witnesses said there was a clash between Awami League and BNP activists on the court premises which left 10 people injured, reports the UNB.

DB assistant commissioner Altaf Hossain said a group of leaders and activists of local unit Awami League threw sandals and brooms at Mainul Hosein when he was being produced before the court in a case filed for hurling abusive words at journalist Masuda Bhatti in a television talk-show.

At one stage, local BNP leaders and activists appeared there as some party leaders were also being produced before the court in separate cases.

A scuffle took place between the AL and BNP men, triggering a chase-and-counter chase on the court premises.

Later, police lobbed tear gas shells and fired bullets to disperse them, leaving 10 people injured.

On October 22, Judge Arifa Yasmin Mukta of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Court in Ragpur issued a warrant for Mainul’s arrest after a local human rights activist, Mili Maya, filed a defamation case with it.

According to the case statement filed by Masuda Bhatti, Mainul who was connected to a talk show programme, 'Ekattorer Journal', through a videoconference aired on a private TV channel, Ekattor TV, hosted by Mithila Farzana, made an 'offensive comments' against her on October 16.

He tarnished the image of Masuda Bhatti, the statement said.