Violence involving indigenous protesters in Chile

Violence erupted in southern Chile early Sunday when Mapuche indigenous protesters were removed from occupying local government buildings.

The demonstrators clashed with local residents during the action which saw several municipality buildings in the Araucanía region damaged.

Interior Undersecretary Juan Galli said 48 people were arrested amid the "absolutely condemnable" unrest.

Mapuche protesters had occupied local government buildings for several days to show their support for the leader Celestino Córdova, who is on a monthslong hunger strike in prison, and other Mapuche whom they consider political prisoners.

According to local news reports, residents tried to force the protesters to leave the municipality buildings, before burning and turning over vehicles belonging to the demonstrating Mapuche.

Police had to interfere to force the demonstrators' eviction and prevent further violence.

The events marked a revival of the historical conflict between the Chilean state and the native Mapuche people, which was designated this week as a priority issue for the new Interior Minister Victor Pérez.

The Mapuche resisted the Spanish conquest for 300 years, until military defeats in the late 19th century forced them into Araucanía, south of the Bio Bio river, about 340 miles (550 kilometers) south of the capital.

Chile's government then encouraged European immigrants to colonize the area.

Today, most of the Mapuche live in poverty on the fringes of timber companies or ranches owned by the descendants of Europeans.