Students shook the main gate and threw globs of mud over the fence, shouting "Down with Megawati!" and calling on her to resign.

They set fire to tyres, paper models of the Sukhoi planes and flags of Megawati's Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle.

Police placed two water cannon and dozens of men on standby.

A parliamentary committee is investigating the deal, which analysts say could embarrass Megawati before elections next year.

Megawati signed the 197 million dollar agreement to purchase four Sukhoi jet fighters and two Mi-35 helicopters with President Vladimir Putin during her visit to Russia in April.

The deal apparently bypassed normal procedures because parliament and the defence ministry were not involved.

Under the deal Indonesia will pay 13.5 percent in cash, with the balance to be settled through trade in 11 commodities including palm oil and rubber.

Funds for the down-payment were to come from the food agency Bulog, whose funds have been at the centre of several previous political scandals.

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WAR.WIRE