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)