Mumbai: The Ghatkopar police on Wednesday arrested 10 persons in connection with a clash that broke out between two groups on Tuesday night.
The police said the accused include local party workers of the Shiv Sena and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). There were rumours about a clash between the two parties after the incident.
Incident in Bhatwadi
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The incident occurred in Bhatwadi a little before midnight. The police said Kailash Kothmire and Santosh Salunkhe, both residents of the same area, got into a fight, and several residents of the locality joined in. “The people who later got involved have affiliations to the BJP and the Sena, but the reason behind the clash was not political in nature,” said senior police inspector V.B. Patil, Ghatkopar police station.
Meanwhile, some residents called the police control room and the information was relayed to the Ghatkopar police, who sent several teams to the spot.
Cross complaints
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“Both the groups have registered complaints against each other. While Salunkhe’s supporters claim that Kothmire was creating a ruckus under the influence of alcohol, Kothimire and his friends claim that it was Salunkhe who was making a racket and that Kothmire tried to stop him, which led to the clash,” said an officer with the Ghatkopar police.
Sena corporator
Residents have also alleged that Sena corporator Deepak Hande was involved. The police, while naming him in the complaint, have not yet arrested him and are ascertaining his role in the offence. Both the complaints have been registered for rioting and assault under the Indian Penal Code.
Meanwhile, less than an hour after the clash broke out, messages about a clash between the Sena and the BJP in the wake of the recent civic elections started doing the rounds on WhatsApp.