A free-for-all broke out several days ago in the Chinese province of Hunan between students and their military trainers. At least 42 people from both sides of the fight were reported injured. 

Photos posted on Weibo showed several people in fatigues lying on the ground or cradling bloodied limbs in the period of military training. The fracas, said to have begun on August 25 or 24 depending on the outlet, occurred at a freshmen military education class at Huangcang High School in Longshan County.

Like Us on Facebook

Reports said the clash began when members of the class protested a trainer was being too harsh, and resisted when he stepped on their backs during a series of push-ups. Social media accounts of the incident tell of an instructor taking a stick and smacking a female trainee's hand.

The girl's class teacher retaliated by reportedly ordering the boys attending the same training session to attack the instructor. The teacher was beaten not only by the trainer, but by other military drillmasters present as well. 

Various publications and websites reported different accounts, with some describing a full-fledged riot. Students were said to have vented their anger by smashing classroom doors and windows, causing injuries. Most were minor, but 25 people remained at a local hospital by 5 p.m. that evening.

In China, most college and high school freshmen have to endure several weeks of military training. This most recent incident, however, has released a flood of resentment and similar stories on social media such as Sina Weibo, adding fire to what is a growing controversy.

Earlier this month, a female student in the northeastern Liaoning Province jumped to her death  after being punished for not standing properly during military training. In 2008, a military trainer in the southern metropolis of Guangzhou was reported to have grabbed a junior high school student's head and hit her head against a wall 50 times for talking during meals. 

Order has been restored in the Hunan school and all the injured have received medical treatment. Local police are investigating the case, the government said.

TagsHunan, riot, Brawl, high school military training, blood brawl