Villagers in a county of southwest China's Yunnan Province on Monday clashed with police over re-settlement disputes and have detained several local government officials.

The confrontation had not yet ended as of 10:30 p.m. Monday.

Villagers tried to block the construction of infrastructure facilities at a resettlement site, which began Monday, and clashed with the police at the scene as they feared they might loose edges in the negotiations after the construction began, an official with the Yongsheng county government said.

The official said that concerned local authorities kicked off the construction Monday after 64 households in Yongsheng County, Lishui City, have signed resettlement agreements to make way for a hydro-power station along the Jinsha River.

Authorities have urged those involved in the event to remain calm and to discuss the issue with the villagers.