A city management officer was detained by police on Thursday as the result of a probe into a street vendor's death in the city of Anshun in southwest China's Guizhou Province.

The detainee, Wang Sheng, is suspected of beating street vendor Deng Qiguo during a dispute, according to police investigators. The beating might be linked to the man's death, they added.

Hundreds of protesters gathered on Zhonghuanan Street in downtown Anshun on Tuesday afternoon, accusing city management officers of beating the vendor.

Police said about 30 protestors and 10 policemen suffered injuries during the protest.

Deng Qiguo, a 52-year-old disabled man, was selling fruit near a marketplace entrance when city management officers, including Wang, were conducting checks for illegal streetside vending operations.

According to investigators, the dispute started when Wang took away Deng's fruit cart while the vendor rushed to stop him.

Police have yet to announce the results of Deng's autopsy. The actual cause of Deng's death is still unknown.

The protestors believe Deng was beaten to death, stating that they were angry that the one-legged man was beaten by city management officers.

Police have questioned six city management officers, including Wang, and pledged to announce the autopsy results upon completion.