A manhunt is underway for suspects involved in a case of rioting with dangerous weapons at Upper Cross Street in Chinatown, on May 10 at around 3:30am.

Video footage of the incident is circulating online, and three people have already been arrested.

And there appears to have been a separate manhunt by social media vigilantes as well.

Photos claiming to be those of suspected rioters circulating online

Facebook page "Night Life Singapore NLS" (NLS) has also weighed in, by way of a photo post purporting to identify some of those involved in the fight.

The post was published on May 10 at 8:49pm.

NLS's post implicates Soul Tattoo Studio, asking its followers to boycott the studio in light of its alleged connection to the Chinatown rioting incident.

It now faces a defamation suit claiming S$30,000 in damages.

Post by "Night Life Singapore NLS"

One of the photos from the post shows a group of people posing in front of banner which reads "Soul Tattoo Studio".

The post stated:

"You must be so proud you guys are vital for rioting in Covid19 period. When the whole is trying to get out of this. You guys are enjoying this much.

Soul tattoo studio you are being boycott."

Studio owner asked Facebook group to take down the photo

This attracted the attention of Facebook user Mohammad Hairul, who commented on the post, identifying himself as the owner of Soul Tattoo Studio.

He asked NLS to take down the photo and apologise for making the statement asking its followers to boycott the studio.

Police report

Hairul then made a police report just after midnight on May 11.

According to the details of the incident captured in Hairul's photos of the report, he had lodged the report to clear his name, and to state that Soul Tattoo Studio "is not related to the recent fight and I do not want my shop to be defamed".

Hairul also said that the circulation of the post might affect his business.

In a live video after that, Hairul claimed that he did not know the admins behind NLS and said:

"To be honest, I don't know this guy, and to the extent that you want to boycott Soul Tattoo Studio, it's an attack that is baseless. It's like a bully lah bro."

Hairul also thanked concerned friends and followers who had sent him screenshots and alerting him to the matter.

Demand of 1,000 McSpicy meals

He then posted photos of the report shortly after on his Facebook page, with the following caption:

"24hrs to reach out to me

If not im gonna pursue this matter.

Apology statement and 1000 mcspicy meal set from you night life singapore nls.

You happy. We all more happy."

The demand for 1,000 McSpicy meals, he explained, was "a way to welcome back mcdonalds (sic)", which re-opened in Singapore on May 11.

Hairul told his Facebook followers that he would "make sure the meals gonna reach each and everyone of u", and asked them to keep their profiles active.

Lawyer's letter

As of 7:35pm on May 11, however, NLS did not respond to Hairul's demands to take down the photo, issue an apology, or to supply 1,000 McSpicy meals.

This led him to once again warn of further action via his Facebook page, with an excerpt of what seems to be a lawyer's letter.

The excerpt contains demands that NLS take down their Facebook post, refrain from writing about that Facebook post or about Hairul, and issue an apology.

It also makes a claim for S$30,000 in damages as the result of the Facebook post, which, the letter claimed, had "caused injury to the reputation of our clients".

The letter did not mention the McSpicy meals.

As of 12:55pm on May 12, the post by NLS is still online.

Penalties for doxxing

Perpetrators of doxxing could face a fine of up to S$5,000 or a jail term of up to six months if the intention was to cause harassment.

The law against doxxing applies to the posting of personal information online with the intention to harass or cause violence a form of deliberate harassment, even if threatening words are not used.

Top photo via Rayni Suhaini, Night Life Singapore NLS, and Mohammad Hairul on Facebook