Clash of Senas: MLA, former mayor among 18 held

8220;We arrested the accused once they were identified by eyewitnesses and the complainant,8217;8217; said SS Chatur, senior police inspector at Shivaji Park police station. The police added that more arrests are likely as over 200 persons were present at the spot yesterday.

The first major clash between the two parties after MNS chief Raj Thackeray broke away from the Shiv Sena to form his own party in March started after some MNS workers allegedly tore up posters of Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray put up by the Bharatiya Vidyarthi Sena, the students8217; wing of the Shiv Sena, at SIWS College in Matunga. The Shiv Sena workers retaliated by attacking them.

Both groups pelted stones and hurled soft drink bottles at each other, forcing the police to order a lathicharge and lob tear-gas shells. Condemning the attack on his supporters, MNS president Raj Thackeray today said the Shiv Sena was trying to show off its muscle power as it had no issues to fight for now. 8220;I have told my people not to get into any violent activity but if anybody attacks us we cannot stand as mute spectators. We will retaliate immediately,8221; he said.

Maintaining that MNS activists started the fight, Shiv Sena Executive President Uddhav Thackeray said: 8220;Balasaheb has taught us not to attack first.8217;8217; He said yesterday8217;s incident was bad and painful, as it had inconvenienced resident of Dadar area. 8220;I apologise for that, 8216;8217; he added.