Rival Shiv Sena factions clash on streets of Mumbai 

5 members of Uddhav camp arrested, released on bail; FIR against Shinde faction MLA for reportedly firing in air

The seething animosity between the rival Shiv Sena factions led by Sena president Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde spilled over on to the streets of Mumbai, following a clash between the two camps in Mumbai’s Dadar area.

The ruckus, which took place on Saturday night near the New Prabhadevi in Dadar, reportedly had its cause in a controversial social media post on the day of the Ganesha visarjan on Friday.

According to sources, on Saturday midnight, after the visarjan, a Sena functionary from the Shinde camp named Santosh Talavane was allegedly attacked by a member of the Thackeray camp, Mahesh Sawant, and several others.

A video clip of the violent scuffle also showed that Shinde group MLA Sada Sarvankar was present during the melee and trying to defend Talavane.

After complaints and counter-complaints lodged by functionaries of both Sena factions, the Dadar police arrested five members of the Thackeray camp, while lodging first information reports (FIRs) against more than 25 members of both sides, including Mr. Sarvankar.

The Thackeray faction later alleged that Mr. Sarvankar, who was reportedly present during the melee, had fired in the air.

Cases were registered under various Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections — 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 324 (voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace) and 506 (criminal intimidation). Another FIR under various sections, including provisions the Arms Act, was registered against Mr. Sarvankar, the MLA from Mahim.