Posted 04.07.2012 12:22:22 UTC
Updated 04.07.2012 12:22:22 UTC
Residents of the town of Celendin held protests against the building of a mine.
A group that gathered in front of the municipal building clashed with the security forces.
Three people died and 21 others got wounded.
Peru's government declared a state of emergency in the three provinces of Cajamarca after the fatalities.
The Conga mining project launched by a US mining company is the largest investment project in Peru.
However the residents of the area strongly reject the project on grounds that it will damage the water resources.