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everal universities in Makassar, South Sulawesi, are on leave until the end of the week following clashes between students, residents and police; lectures are schedule to resume on Monday next week.

The lectures at the Hasanuddin University (Unhas), Makassar Muhammadiyah University (Unismuh), Indonesian Muslim University (UMI) and Bosowa 45 University were suspended to reduce tension and prevent students from taking to the streets.

'€œThe Unhas authorities placed the students on leave until Friday, and no classes will be conducted on Saturday. Classes will resume on Monday. The students have been given leave so as to dampen the escalation of student protests,'€ Unhas Students Activities Operation special team head Nasaruddin Salam said on Wednesday.

In Makassar on Tuesday, clashes broke out in five universities as students protested the government policy of raising fuel prices as of Tuesday. They were Unhas, Unismuh, UMI, Bosowa 45 University and Alauddin Islamic State University.

Several students and residents were injured in the clashes. Some were hit by arrows and rocks. A number of facilities were also damaged, including dozens of motorcycles and bicycles which were set on fire.

The Unhas campus suffered the worst damage as local residents attacked students in the campus, damaged the entrance, burned police posts and scores of motorcycles and bicycles as well as a greenhouse. At the Unismuh campus, three motorcycles were burned by residents.

Nasaruddin Salam expressed regret over the attack by residents inside the campus, especially vandalism against campus facilities.

According to Nasaruddin, Unhas students were apparently rallying on Tuesday at noon. The protest ended in the afternoon and the students returned to the campus.

'€œNot long after, another rally was held, not by Unhas students but by students from various universities who were involved in a clash with residents,'€ he said.

Police are currently conducting an investigation at the scene of the incident and have identified those involved in the attack.

Unismuh rector Irawan Akib said students had been given leave since Tuesday noon. They were asked to return home and the campus was closed to prevent students from holding rallies again, as clashes have repeatedly taken place on campus.

Irawan denied that those who rallied in front of the Unismuh campus were his students.

To bring down tensions and prevent a public disturbance from happening again, the South Sulawesi Police have joined forces with the Wirabuana Military Command in Makassar.

According to South Sulawesi Police chief spokesman Sr. Comr. Endi Sutendi, the police and Indonesian Military (TNI) will deploy 1,000 personnel respectively to anticipate the protests. They will also be placed on standby at vital locations, especially gas stations.

On Wednesday, a clash broke out again in front of the Makassar State University between students and residents, police and TNI members have made efforts to secure the situation.