Mumbai: Workers of Shiv Sena and clashed with newly-formed Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) led by former Shiv Sena leader Raj Thackeray in the heart of the city, leaving four people injured.
Police did lathicharge and fired tear gas shells to disperse the warring groups outside Sena Bhavan and in the vicinity of the MNS headquarters at Dadar in central Mumbai, officials said.
The situation became normal after the police action and appearance of Sena Executive President Uddhav Thackeray and his cousin and MNS chief Raj Thackeray on the spot.
Uddhav appealed to Sena workers to go back home. "The police will take necessary action. This is happening because many people are joining us from MNS. The defections have started and that is why they are resorting to such actions," he said.
Trouble began in the afternoon after some MNS workers allegedly tore down a poster of Sena chief Bal Thackeray put up outside SIES college in Central Mumbai. Shiv Sena workers retaliated by bringing down a poster of MNS chief Raj near Sena Bhavan.
Supporters of both the groups gathered in the square outside Shiv Sena headquarters Sena Bhavan immediately and the skirmish turned into stone pelting.
A police official was injured by a stone while trying to diffuse the situation. According to sources, as stone pelting continued the police lobbed two tear gas shells to control the warring workers of the two parties.
Shops and all commercial establishments were closed down in Dadar after the clashes and traffic was diverted, officials said.
"Even we don't know how the whole thing has started. But it was the MNS who started the stone pelting from the terrace of a residential building. Then they locked the door so that
Sainiks could not enter the premises. This is sheer cowardice," said executive editor of Sena mouthpiece Saamna , Sanjay Raut.
He alleged that the police played spectator to the stone pelting, adding "If anybody tries to attack Sainiks and the police refuse to do anything, we will defend ourselves. Shiv
Sainiks from all over Mumbai are coming to Dadar."
Vehicles were damaged during the clash and TV channels showed several people armed with lathis and rods.
The Rapid Action Force has been deployed in Dadar and it has asked for extra forces to control the situation.
Four units of riot control were also sent to the area.
Raj Thackeray quit the Shiv Sena in December 2005 after alleging that he was "suffering" in the party. His resignation came after the Sena supremo announced that Uddhav would lead the party.
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