Lima, September 2 (teleSUR-RHC)-- Peruvian indigenous protesters seized oil wells in an Amazonian oil block on Tuesday to press the government respond to demands for compensation due to the pollution caused by oil operations.  Protesters from the Achuar indigenous communities said they also plan to halt output in a nearby concession.

Indigenous demonstrators shut down 11 wells and took control of an aerodrome in oil block eight to demand clean water, reparations for oil pollution and more pay for the use of native land, said Carlos Sandi, chief of the indigenous federation Feconaco. 

Argentinian energy company Pluspetrol operates Block 8 and said daily output of some 8,500 barrels per day had stopped.  The firm called on protesters in Block 8 to seek dialogue.

Sandi said the Achuar in oil Block 192 would also soon seize wells there following a dispute with the government over proceeds for communities in a new contract awarded to the Canadian company Pacific Exploration and Production Corporation.

Both oil blocks are in Peru's northern region of Loreto.

Peru signed a last-minute deal with Pacific for the rights to tap oil block 192 for the next two years after an open auction for a 30-year contract failed to draw any bids last month.

The government included benefits for some indigenous communities in the new contract but a stalemate with others over their share of oil profits left many out.

Block 192's operations have been halted on various occasions in recent years.  The protesters have demanded the government clean up spills and give them more compensation.  Peru has declared several environmental emergencies there because of oil pollution.  Block 192 is comprised of areas inhabited by the communities of the river basins of Pastaza, Tigre, and Corrientes.

The leaders of the Apus Indigenous people in the area have been protesting for years, demanding respect for their people and reparations for environmental destruction caused by oil companies.