The Brazilian government has deployed 2,000 army troops in the northeastern province of Bahia, after murders more than doubled in less than a week in the state capital after a third of the area’s police force went on strike.

About 10,000 of Bahia’s 30,000 state police have been off the job since Wednesday. As a result, 78 people have since been killed in and around the capital of Salvador, one of them a 13-year-old girl.

Reports say murders have shot up 129 per cent compared to the same period last year.

The number of assaults and thefts have also soared compared to previous weeks.

Salvador is Brazil’s third-largest city and the location for one of the most popular Carnival celebrations taking place in mid-February.

News of the strike and violence could scare away the region’s vital tourism industry.

Bahia Governor Jaques Wagner said over the weekend that the strike was illegal and accused some of the officers of participating in the violence, "using reprehensible methods [and] spreading fear among the population."

Federal police have also been sent to Salvador.

Officers had been asking for pay raises and bonuses but on Sunday, they appear to have scaled back their demands and asked for just bonuses and amnesty from reprisals for taking part in the walkout.

Bahia state officials said one of the strike leaders has been arrested on Sunday on suspicion of stealing public funds. The arrest is related to the seizure by striking officers of more than a dozen police vehicles.

Arrest warrants have been issued for another 11 strike leaders.