JAKARTA, Sept 8: Security forces blocked roads and erected razor wire barricades around the Parliament on Tuesday after they used batons, shields and tear gas to push hundreds of student protesters from Its grounds, reports AP.

A senior Cabinet minister called on students to remain calm, saying violent anti-government demonstrations and calls for the president to quit would not fix Indonesia's crippling economic crisis.

The protest, which began on Monday, was the biggest of its kind since a marathon student sit-in at the Parliament helped force President Habibie's autocratic predecessor. ex-President Suharto, to step down after 1.200 people were killed in a wave of riots four months ago.

The official Antara news agency reported that two students were hospitalised with

bayonet wounds to their abdomens and others were treated for tear gas inhalation after the pre-dawn clash.

Marla Helena, a spokesman for nearby Atma Jaya Hospital, said two students underwent emergency surgery. However, she refused to give details of their Injuries. Three others were treated at the hospital and later released, she said.

A police spokesman said five officers were injured by rocks and bottles thrown by demonstrators who had earlier pushed down the gates of the legislature.

Chanting anti-government slogans, the students gathered outside the green-domed building Monday to demand that Habibie quit because of his handling of Indonesia’s economic crisis and failure to lower soaring food prices.

They also urged that Suharto

be put on trial for alleged misdeeds. Including corruption and repression, during his 32 years at the helm of the nation of 202 million people.

Officers corralled the protesters into a parking lot on the grounds. Many protesters later left peacefully.

However, about 300 refused repeated requests to disperse. A standoff dragged on until about 1.30 am on Tuesday when security personnel forcibly evicted the protesters.

Police said they made no arrests and later re-erected the gates.

The Parliament precinct was quiet by late morning Tuesday as legislators arrived to discuss the effects of Indonesia's financial woes. Including food shortages and price hikes.

Hundreds of security personnel were stationed inside the grounds of the Parliament.

and they placed piles of riot gear outside its perimeter as precaution.

They also unravelled coils of razor wire inside its main entrance. However, there was no sign of trouble.

Lines of police and troops cut off several major roads leading to the legislature amid reports that hundreds of students were planning to march there from nearby campuses.

Rush hour traffic was choked by the heavy security presence.

Meanwhile at Jakarta's state palace, Habibie opened a regional human rights conference on Tuesday by restating a pledge to Improve Indonesia's bad human rights record.

However, he warned that the county's severe economic problems must be fixed if human rights were to be protected. Growing poverty could lead to

further social unrest, he said.

The president made no comment about the student protest.

Justice Minister Muladl urged the students "to use their wisdom and prevent the situation from getting worse."

He defended the reform record of the Habibie government and said it had done its best to improve Indonesia's situation during its first 100 days in office.

We have to be realistic. Muladl said. "1 doubt there is anyone who would want to replace Habibie and could do what he has done in this very short time."

He said that the government was seriously addressing the student's main gripe about food shortages and high prices. He said anyone found guilty of Interfering with food distribution could be sentenced to death.