Tension grips Bukittinggi

Tension grips Bukittinggi

PADANG, West Sumatra: Tension still gripped Bukittinggi on
Thursday following an overnight brawl between around 800 students
from two high schools which resulted in student Edo Siswanto
being severely injured.

The city, known as the province's tourism center, was
paralyzed as most residents remained at home on Thursday after an
open clash between students from SMK Kosgoro and SMK Muhammadiyah
took place on Wednesday around 8 p.m.

Bukittinggi is located about 100 km north of Padang.

Police chief Supt. Sukrawardi said 15 students were arrested
shortly after the incident.

"Their parents have been notified and the students will be
released soon," Sukrawadi said.

The incident reportedly began with a simple dispute between a
student named Edwin from SMK Kosgoro and two other students from
SMK Muhammadiyah, Edo and Hanafi.

It was reported that Edwin felt Edo was challenging him as the
boy kept staring at him. The youths from both schools then
gathered and later participated in the massive brawl.(28/edt)