Melaka police chief Zainol Samah said the 23 were arrested in stages in Tanjung Kling, Malim and Tanjung Minyak between 2pm and 9pm on Wednesday.

He said the students, from several secondary schools in Tanjung Kling, were arrested after a 15-year-old student sustained bruises all over his body and face from a beating by a group of men.

“A preliminary investigation found that a fight broke out between two groups, believed to be a misunderstanding involving an old incident,” he said in a statement today.

“The police seized three helmets and sticks believed to have been used in the incident, and have recorded statements from all the suspects.”

The case is being investigated under Section 148 of the Penal Code for rioting, which provides for imprisonment for up to five years or a fine, or both, upon conviction.

A four-minute video of the fight went viral on social media yesterday.

The grandmother of the 15-year-old victim filed a police report at the Tanjung Kling police station on March 31.