Surabaya – Some 400 students clashed with security forces which prevented them from marching to another university today, witnesses said.

Anti-riot police and soldiers beat the students with clubs and at least one was rushed to hospital bleeding from the head.

The students from at least four universities in the East Java province capital of Surabaya, had gathered at the Surabaya Institute of Technology, wearing jackets representing their institutions.

They planned to march to the state Airlangga University but were blocked by security forces, including more than 100 police backed by marines and soldiers.

The students dispersed after the clashes and there were no reports of arrests.

Two helicopters hovered above the university, while security forces remained on guard around the campus, a witness said.