Angry farmers burn tyres on Chile's main highway.

They are protesting against the extraction of water from Lake Maule by Endesa, Spain's largest electricity company.

A local farmer said the water is their source of livelihoods.

(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) LOCAL FARMER, UNIDENTIFIED, SAYING:

"Without water they leave everyone without jobs, I think that it is essential that the people here fight for their families."

Police and activists clashed after dozens of police officers arrived to clear the highway.

Authorities also arrested some people while one local TV cameraman was injured.

(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) POLICE COLONEL, ALFONSO MEDINA, SAYING:

"We have detained three people for serious damage to public property and we have recovered eight Molotov Cocktails."

The Commission of Agriculture condemned Endesa's extraction of water in the region.

But the company insists they are behaving in accordance with the law, and that the region does not have a shortage of water.

Sophia Soo, Reuters.