Jakarta – The National Commission on Human Rights is setting up a special team to investigate a clash between police officers and student protesters at National University (Unas) in Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta, on Saturday.

Vice chairperson of the commission, M. Ridha Saleh, said the team would look into possible abuses committed by officers against protesters.

"Our preliminary investigation suggests the officers attacked the protesters. We also found some indications of violence, torture and destruction," he said Sunday.

Ridha said whatever occurred, the police as an institution should be held responsible, not individual officers.

On Saturday morning, police arrested at least 140 protesters after the two sides began pelting bottles and rocks at each other at the university campus.

The protesters, students and alumni, had gathered Friday night to protest the government's decision to increase fuel prices.

According to students, the police charged in and beat protesters, including women, before arresting them.

Police said they made the arrests after the protesters turned violent, and in response to complaints from residents that the protest was interfering with dawn prayers.

Police initially arrested at least 140 students, but detained only 31 for further investigation over the clash, as well as drug use.

Hermawanto from the Jakarta Legal Aid Institute said even if the police were provoked, officers could not chase down and assault protesters. "I totally agree with the commission's idea to set up an investigative unit," he said.

National Police spokesman Insp. Gen. Abu Bakar Nataprawira said police would not try and prevent the commission from looking into the incident. "It is their right and authority. The police will not and, actually, cannot prohibit them from establishing the team," he told The Jakarta Post.

He said the police would set up their own team to look into Saturday's events. The police team, he said, would provide any assistance needed by the commission. "The police will not hide anything from the public," he said. (uwi)