Jakarta – Some 1,000 Indonesian students returned to the streets here Wednesday in a peaceful protest against military violence.

The protesters, mostly from the University of Indonesia, massed at a busy roundabout in the capital's main thoroughfare, chanting slogans and brandishing signs against what they called the military's meddling in all aspects of life.

"Violence is not the solution," read a large banner. Abdul Hakim, a student from the University of Indonesia, said.

Tension rose as dozens of nationalist protesters attempted to join the student crowd. But the students rejected their involvement.

Two days of massive demonstrations against a controversial state security bill in Jakarta last week left seven people dead, including a police officer, and a student who was shot by soldiers.

More than 100 others were injured in running clashes in the capital as soon as the bill was endorsed by the parliament. President B.J. Habibie, citing the bloodshed, suspended his ratification of the bill until further notice.

Present among the student crowd Wednesday were prominent Muslim leader and presidential hopeful Abdurrahman Wahid and reformist politician Amien Rais, chairman of the National Mandate Party.

"I'm here because this protest is against violence," Wahid said to cheers of the protesters. But he warned the students against taking their protest to parliament. "I warn those people who want to take over the parliament through violence. Beware," he added.

Rais, who spearheaded a reform movement that helped topple former president Suharto last year, called on the students to continue their struggle. "Never quit. Listen to your conscience," he said.

The parliament building has become a symbol of Indonesian students' resistance against the goverment. A protest against the bill in the Lampung province in southern Sumatra on Tuesday also claimed the life of a student.