Five teenagers between ages 12 and 15 who were involved in a bullying incident in which one boy had a knife held to his throat were arrested on July 10 for suspected rioting offences.
In response to queries from The Straits Times, the police said two of the boys, aged 13 and 15, were charged on July 16 with causing hurt.
The 15-year-old was also charged with carrying an offensive weapon in a public place.
In a video posted on social media platform Xiaohongshu on July 23, a boy seems to be holding a knife to a smaller-sized boy’s throat. The incident occurred on July 6, said the police.
The knife appears to be a butterfly knife, which is a type of weapon considered more dangerous and therefore, subject to stricter rules. Other weapons that fall under the same category include knuckle dusters, flick knives and the claw-shaped karambit knives.
After pressing the knife to the victim’s throat, the boy asks him to tell the truth. When the victim assures him that he is not lying, the boy slaps him forcefully on the face.
The victim is then offered two choices as punishment, although it is unclear what were the circumstances that led to the situation.
The assailant and another boy – who is off-camera – can be heard giving him the option between getting punched in the stomach five times or stripping naked. The victim opts for the second choice and starts taking off his clothes before the video ends.
Police investigations involving the other three boys are ongoing.
Those found guilty of possessing a dangerous weapon can be jailed for up to five years and get at least six strokes of the cane.
Responding to queries, the Ministry of Education (MOE) said it is aware of a video of an assault circulating on social media.
It said: “Such behaviour is not acceptable and has no place in our society. The perpetrators involved are under police investigations.”
MOE added that the school has been providing support to the affected student and his family.
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Wong Yang for The Straits Times
Five teens arrested for threatening boy with knife
