Nuriddin Lazuardi/PT & GB, Jakarta – Dozens of police clashed with students from the Jakarta branch of the Association of Islamic Students (HMI) during an anti-Israel and America protest in front of the American Embassy, Friday.

According to Detik observations, the demonstration began after Friday prayers when more than 100 students arrived at the United States Embassy on Jl Medan Merdeka Selatan, Central Jakarta. Protestors then tried to enter the grounds by climbing the embassy's fence although police successfully blocked their attempts.

The trouble started when someone among the students let off fire crackers while the police were warding off students from entering the Embassy and pushing them from the fences and gate. The demonstration then suddenly turned out of control and police failed to stem the unrest. A group of students fled the short distance to the grounds surrounding the "Monas" National Monument in the heart of Jakarta.

However, at 3.35 local time, the dozens of HMI students gathered peacefully at Monas were set upon by police despite the fact they had apparently surrendered after fleeing from the main demonstration which had turned violent. The police gave chase after the fleeing protestors and caught and detained them in the middle of the Monas grounds. Shortly afterward, the sounds of beating police battens could be heard.

For their part, the police are attempting to explain their behaviour by claiming that they were provoked by non-HMI students who had infiltrated the demonstration. "The students were infiltrated by a provocateur," related the Head of the Central Jakarta Police's Operational Control Center, Major Ricky F Wakano.

"The HMI students would never behave like this. This was definitely the fault of a provocateur," Wakano reiterated. HMI demonstrators who escaped the police seemed undaunted and continued their demonstration to the State Palace.