JOHOR BARU, May 25 — Police have made several arrests for the investigation into a mass brawl involving secondary school students in Kempas here yesterday.

It was understood that the fight was due to an argument about two days ago at SMK Tan Sri Mohamed Rahmat in Kempas, after a Form Three student was hit by an eraser that was thrown by a classmate.

Malay Mail learnt that misunderstanding between the two students then escalated into a shouting match between two groups yesterday.

After that, a gang fight involving over 10 students took place outside the secondary school, leading to two 15-year-old boys being admitted to Hospital Sultanah Aminah for serious head and facial injuries.

Several parents also lodged police reports after the incident as they feared for their children’s safety.

Johor Baru North police chief Assistant Commissioner Balveer Singh Mahindar Singh said besides the two who were hospitalised, several others also sought treatment for injuries.

"Following that, investigators from the Johor Baru North district police conducted arrests on several students today,” he said in a statement tonight.

Balveer said police are investigating the case under Section 148 of the Penal Code for rioting, which carries a maximum sentence of five years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both upon conviction.

However, he declined to reveal the number of students arrested, adding that investigations were still ongoing.

Balveer urged the public to stop sensationalising the incident as not to affect the community’s social harmony.

"We (police) also advised the public to take a rational approach in any problems and refrain from acting beyond the confines of the law,” he said.