Tension in Central Mumbai after group clash; 7 hurt, 50 booked

Tension prevailed in Central Mumbai following a group clash, after which the police today booked around 50 unidentified people for rioting and unlawful assembly.
At least seven people were injured and a two-wheeler was damaged in the clash last night during which stones were pelted, police said.
The trouble started when a group of men attacked revellers who were part of a religious procession around 10 pm in Lalbaug area, they said.
The clash was triggered by a heated argument between members of two communities and policemen were deployed in strength to bring the situation under control.
"About 50 unidentified people were booked under IPC sections pertaining to rioting and unlawful assembly. They were part of a crowd that pelted stones at a group which was heading home after attending a procession," said Sunil Tondwalkar, Senior Inspector at Bhoiwada police station.

"A 27-year-old resident of Trombay, who sustained injuries, is the complainant in the case that was registered around 2.30 am today," Tondwalkar added.

The rioting appeared to be a fallout of an incident at nearby Bharat Mata junction where two groups of different communities came to blows around 8 pm.
Some people at Bharat Mata junction questioned on-duty policemen for not initiating action against bikers who had two pillion riders (a violation of traffic norms).
This led to a heated argument between the bikers and locals. The situation soon went out of control and the two groups began fighting. A sizeable number of police personnel were dispatched to the spot, they said.

At least seven people were injured and a two-wheeler was completely damaged near the Central Railway workshop, police said.
Police Commissioner Rakesh Maria rushed to the spot and himself patrolled the streets along with his colleagues. Normalcy returned to the area by midnight.