Stones & sticks fly as Sena factions clash in Mumbai

Supporters of the Shiv Sena and the Shiv Sena (UBT) clashed violently outside Matoshree Club in Mumbai on Tuesday night. The clash, which lasted for an hour, was sparked by allegations of money distribution inside the club. Both sides have filed FIRs against each other, accusing the other of assault, molestation, and intimidation.

MUMBAI: Violent clashes erupted between workers of the Shiv Sena and the Shiv Sena (UBT) outside Matoshree Club in Jogeshwari (East) on Tuesday night. Sticks and stones were hurled around as the violence continued for about an hour despite police intervention. Police sources said workers of the Sena faction, headed by Uddhav Thackeray, had gathered to protest against the alleged distribution of money inside Matoshree Club, leading to riots and demonstrations.

Matoshree Club is run by Sena MP Ravindra Waikar , whose wife, Manisha, is an assembly election candidate. Shiv Sena filed two FIRs against Shiv Sena (UBT), alleging an attempt to murder a woman activist by pursuing her vehicle and molestation of a woman politician. Shiv Sena (UBT) responded by filing an FIR against Shiv Sena supporters.

Later at a press conference, women workers of Shiv Sena alleged videography by members of the Shiv Sena (UBT), which they said was not stopped despite their objecting to it. They said the matter escalated from there. Harjeet Kaur, a party worker, said she left in a car and noticed Anant Nar, the Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate from the constituency, giving an interview nearby.

She said Nar’s son and other party workers saw her and began banging on the car and tried to open the door. “I sped towards Kalpataru (complex nearby). Five men followed me on a bike and entered the Kalpataru gates to hit me,” she said.

Police filed a suo motu FIR against unidentified party workers for organising an “illegal gathering” after Sena (UBT) workers blocked the road near Matoshree Club for 15-20 minutes. A police officer said both factions engaged in stone-pelting. Four FIRs were filed against numerous individuals from both sides.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC Anil Parab said, “They are distributing money, utensils, clothes, and other items. They are trying to buy votes. We even took up the issue with the EC, but no action was taken.

So sainiks went there to check. They found criminals and goons sitting there. They attacked Shiv sainiks.

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