Five injured in school brawl at Ato Boldon Stadium

AN INTER-SCHOOL gang-war ended up in blood shed on Friday, after a brawl broke out among pupils attending a football match at the Ato Boldon Stadium, at Couva, resulting in at least five students having to seek medical attention. Police have detained two school boys, ages 16 and 17, in connection with the incident. The fracas started at the stadium grounds and ended up in the health centre where the injured pupils had gone to seek medical attention, and was followed by other pupils.

Police sources told Sunday Newsday that the incident stemmed from an on-going impasse among pupils of schools in Freeport and Mac Bean, Couva. Some 2,000 students attending schools in Marabella, Couva, Freeport and Chaguanas, had attended the opening of the Central Division Intercol Football at Ato Boldon stadium, on Friday. The drama unfolded around 5.35 pm, shortly after the last game was played. Reports stated that there was a confrontation among the gangs, which led to a scuffle. The fighting continued to Isaac Junction, Couva, where several students were stabbed with knifes, others beaten and their chains ripped off their necks. As the injured pupils made their way to the health centre, they were followed by the gangs who stormed into the health centre and dealt them ( the injured children) several blows about their bodies. When the officers of the Couva Police Station responded they had to call for reinforcement to control the situation. Eyewitnesses said during the game several pupils, including girls, were seen drinking and smoking on the grounds.