HYDERABAD, May 7: Two reporters who work for Sindh TV in Jamshoro district have alleged that “goons hired by Malik Asad Sikandar”, a former MNA and district nazim of Jamshoro, beat them up in retaliation for stories critical of the former legislator.

One of the reporters, Aziz Palari, alleged that he was stripped by the “henchmen of Malik Asad” in front of SHO Qurban Sanjrani of Thana Bula Khan police station and later in the presence of Malik Asad at his bungalow.

Aziz Palari and Ismail Barejo, the other reporter, told a meeting of journalists at Hyderabad Press Club on Monday that they intended to move court to seek registration of an FIR against Malik Asad and his men.

The Nooriabad-based Aziz Palari said he had been reporting on different issues of Kohistan — the constituency of Malik Asad. Some of the reports offended him because he thought these had tarnished his image. “One of the reports revealed that a number of school teachers work at the bungalows of Malik Asad and his relatives,” he said.

“I was intercepted by the SHO on May 3 midnight near the shrine of Baqar Shah. Three double cabin vehicles pulled up there and around 15 gunmen alighted. I was dragged and stripped by these gunmen,” Aziz Palari said.

Qurban Sanjrani, the SHO, said Aziz Palari was drunk and resorted to aerial firing. We took him to the police station, but released him after Malik Asad intervened,” he said.

Ismail Barejo alleged he was thrashed by Malik Asad’s men in Badal Barejo village for reporting on the beating of Aziz Palari. Attempts to get Malik Asad’s version were unsuccessful.