TAWAU: Police have arrested 10 teenage boys to assist investigations into the alleged assault of four schoolmates in Merotai Besar on Friday.
Acting Tawau Police Chief Supt Wilynton Enchana Watt said the suspects, aged between 14 and 17, were detained at 2pm on Saturday.
The operation was carried out jointly by officers from the District Criminal Investigation Division (BSJD) and Bombalai Police Station.
Investigations found that a group of students approached four teenage boys who were walking along a shortcut to Masjid Hidayatul Iman in Merotai Besar to perform Friday prayers.
They asked one of the boys the whereabouts of two individuals and allegedly attacked and assaulted him after he said he did not know.
“The victim sustained injuries to his face, head, chest and ribs and lodged a report before receiving follow-up treatment at Tawau Hospital,” he said.
The three other victims also suffered injuries and lodged reports.
The case has been classified as rioting and is being investigated under Section 147 of the Penal Code.
Wilynton said police viewed seriously any form of violence or misconduct involving students and would not compromise with anyone found to have broken the law.
He also urged parents and guardians to closely monitor their children’s behaviour and social circles.
Wilynton called on schools and the public to continue cooperating with police to curb violence among students.
The incident drew widespread public attention after a social media user, believed to be the elder brother of one of the victims, uploaded a video of the alleged assault on Facebook, with the footage believed to have been recorded by one of the alleged assailants.
