Indigenous Brazilians armed with bows and arrows tried to break into the lower house of the Brazilian Congress, battling with police who fired tear gas and pepper spray in response.

Around 30 Indians, many in colourful headdresses and some carrying arrows, clashed with law enforcement outside the building in the capital Brasilia yesterday in protest at a bill which would give parliament powers to demarcate indigenous territory.

One police officer escaped injury when an arrow struck his boot, but four of his colleagues were hurt in the clashes, as the indigenous people tried to force their way into the chamber of deputies.

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Indigenous protesters square up to members of Brazil's police force outside the the Congress building

An officer hides behind a car as runs away as two indigenous Brazilians attack him with arrows

Police stand firm against dozens of indigenous protesters outside parliament

A policeman is dragged to the ground by protesters angry at a proposed new land ownership bill

Indians from various tribes run from tear gas fired by police after they tried to enter Congress

Shocking images emerged of angry protesters squaring up to police in riot gear, who fought them off using shields, tear gas and pepper spray.

The group attempted to storm a committee which was taking a vote on the bill, causing it to be called off.

Four indigenous men were arrested on suspicion of throwing arrows at police officers.

The authority to determine which areas of Brazil belong to native peoples currently resides with the country’s executive branch.

Indians and other opponents of the new bill say transferring that power to Congress would give more power to large landowners and mining and lumber companies that operate in the Amazon region where most of Brazil's indigenous population lives.

That's because they have too much influence over the country's parliament, protesters argue.

Indigenous leaders worry the new bill, known as PEC 215/00, could legitimise the occupation of large parts of their land in the Amazon by farmers and loggers.

An officer is cornered by a group of indigenous demonstrators during the dispute

Police made clear they were not going to allow the group of protesters to disrupt a committee meeting

A police officer pushes an indigenous woman away from the entrance to the chamber of deputies

A lone indigenous woman faces officers beside a pile of twisted riot barriers