9 more police killed in Amazon protests in Peru

updated 1:29 p.m. ET June 7, 2009

BAGUA, Peru - Peru's worst political violence in years has seen 22 police officers and at least 30 Amazon Indians killed in a bloody fight against efforts to exploit natural resources on native lands.

Nine more officers died Saturday.

The fighting began when security forces moved early Friday to break up a roadblock manned by 5,000 protesters.

Indians have been blocking roads, waterways and a state oil pipeline intermittently since April 9, demanding that Peru's government repeal laws they say help foreign companies exploit their lands.

Indian leaders and environmental groups say the laws, decreed by President Alan Garcia open communal jungle lands and water resources to oil drilling, logging, mining and large-scale farming without their consent.

Garcia defends the laws as necessary to help develop Peru.

More from msnbc.com Racist webcam? TheGrio's test says no View an interactive, HD panorama of N.Y.'s 30 Rock Insider theft a big problem for small charities British music fans celebrate 'anarchy Christmas miracle' Census workers wanted, local roots preferred Answer Desk: Gold may be riskier than it seems Send your holiday pictures to troops

MORE FROM AMERICAS

Americas Section Front

Decision expected soon in Brazil custody fight Gunmen kill family of Mexican drug war hero Mexico City lawmakers OK gay marriage Colombia to Chavez: Santa, not ‘spy plane’ World Blog: Finally, Cuba celebrates with Kool Stepfather says needles were meant to kill boy Brazil ruling on U.S. boy expected Tuesday Bus drivers fall victim to brutal Guatemalan gangs Americas Section Front   Add Americas headlines to your news reader: