CHENNAI: Police have arrested two juveniles in the early hours of the New Year, after they were found brandishing machetes and sharing them on social media reels near Tambaram.

The incident occurred at Ranganathapuram in West Tambaram, a residential locality with over 2,000 houses.

Around midnight on New Year, a group of local youths stood in the middle of the street, waved machetes and filmed videos, shocking and frightening residents. Among the group were two 16-year-old boys who had earlier been arrested in an attempt-to-murder case involving a machete attack. They had been lodged in a juvenile home in Chengalpattu and were released on bail recently.

According to the police, after being released on bail, the juveniles attempted to project themselves as local rowdies in the neighbourhood by recording reels with machetes during the New Year celebrations. This prompted several residents to not use the street, take alternative routes, remain indoors, and lock their houses in fear. However, no immediate complaint was filed with the police.

The situation escalated after videos showing the juveniles wielding machetes and dancing on the street went viral on social media on Wednesday night. Acting swiftly, the Tambaram police identified the boys and detained them on Thursday morning.

They were taken to the Tambaram police station for questioning. Police have initiated steps to cancel their bail and send them back to the juvenile home.