Papua New Guinea's government says weapons were not used by asylum seekers during a standoff with guards at the Manus Island detention centre on Monday, contradicting comments from Australia's Immigration Minister.

Peter Dutton yesterday told the ABC's 7:30 program asylum seekers were armed with makeshift weapons when security guards forced entry into Delta compound to end a three-day blockade.

"Some transferrers, as I'm advised, had fashioned weapons or there was the suggestion of that," he said.

He later added: "I think it's important to point out that we're not talking about firearms, for example; we're talking about homemade or home-fashioned weapons."

However, a PNG government spokesman has told the ABC asylum seekers did not use weapons during the intervention on Monday.

The spokesman said police had found "weapons" during a later search of Delta compound, but was waiting for further information about what was found.

There have been conflicting accounts about the level of force used to end the blockade of Delta compound.

Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume. Watch Duration: 7 minutes 34 seconds 7 m Watch the interview with Peter Dutton

Asylum seekers and Australia-based refugee advocates say guards beat the detainees and dragged them on the ground.

The ABC has seen a photograph of a man with a bruised face and nose, who says he was beaten and is now in Lorengau provincial prison.

Mr Dutton said there had been "some physical confrontation" between guards and asylum seekers.

"There would have been some physical confrontation, for example, but I think the fact that it was over within a relatively short period of time and the police who were on standby didn't see a need to intervene would suggest that, I think, that the operation was carried out successfully," he said.

The PNG government spokesman said some asylum seekers were restrained for shouting or not following directions. He said there were no serious injuries.

Protests and hunger strikes continue at the Australian-run centre.

Refugees transferred to transit facility

Meanwhile, two refugees have been transferred from the Manus Island detention centre to a transit facility on the outskirts of Lorengau, the capital of Manus Province.

A PNG government spokesman said the first men to be transferred as part of the resettlement process were an Iranian engineer and a Pakistani human resources manager.

The transfer came a day earlier than scheduled.

"We're not going to let the protests undermine the process that is taking place to enable these people to start a new life and make a contribution to the economy and community of Papua New Guinea," the spokesman said.

Plans to move some of the 50 men granted refugee status by PNG to the transit centre were believed to be the main reason for recent protests and hunger strikes.

At the Australian-funded transit facility, refugees will receive language and cultural training while they wait for an employment opportunity elsewhere in PNG.