Military police in Meanchey district on Sunday night arrested a group of 10 young men armed with swords and metal sticks just before they were to clash with a rival group of similarly armed men, an official said.
Kit Sophal, the district military police commander, said that his unit was patrolling the streets of Chak Angre Loeu commune at around 9 p.m. on Sunday when they noticed two groups of about 10 armed men each, ready to attack each other.
Ten were arrested, while members of the other group escaped.
“We arrested them because they were…preparing to take revenge on another group of people,” Mr. Sophal said, adding that an argument at a nightclub had likely led to the confrontation.
“After we arrested them, we brought them to our office. There, we shaved their heads as their hair was too long and did not look good,” Mr. Sophal said.
Afterward, the group of men, aged between 18 and 25, were taken to the military police headquarters and detained overnight.
Mr. Sophal said they would not face charges and would be released later this week.
