The Papua New Guinean government has denied reports of a violent confrontation between asylum seekers and security staff at the Manus Island detention centre.

Photographs sent to media by asylum seekers on Friday appeared to show security staff in riot gear responding to an incident at the facility.

Asylum seekers said there had been a clash and sent images of two men with minor head injuries and another being carried away on a stretcher.

But the PNG government denied that version of events. The Australian Government has been approached for comment.

"There was no physical engagement between asylum seekers and security personnel," a PNG government spokesman said.

"Security [staff] were on standby for safety reasons considering the reported rise in tension.

"This is only natural to ensure the safety of the workers as well as people in the facility following media reports of self-harm.

"Workers have essential tasks to maintain such as cleaning and the delivery of other services."

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The spokesman said "at no time did police enter the facility".

One asylum seeker insisted the clash did take place.

"They fought together, with IRT [Incident Response Team] and with the local people," he told the ABC, saying he had spoken to a man in Delta compound where the incident was reported to have occurred.

"They threatened the boys. They told them tomorrow ... the new group will come from Australia and we will come and will enter into the camp and we will beat you," the asylum seeker said.

Guards attacked and beat protesters: refugee activists

The Refugee Action Coalition (RAC) said on Friday that a violent clash had taken place.

"Security guards, including PNG locals, began attacking peaceful protests in Oscar and Delta compounds on Manus Island around 4:00pm Manus Island time," a statement from the RAC's spokesman Ian Rintoul said.

"There was no discussion and no warning before the security guards began attacking and beating protesters."

In a later statement, Mr Rintoul clarified the man seen on the stretcher was an asylum seeker who collapsed from hunger, not injury.

The claims cannot be independently verified as the centre is off limits to media.

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The ABC has obtained fresh footage of noisy protests continuing into Friday night.

Since Tuesday, a group of asylum seekers have been protesting their lengthy detention, living conditions at the centre and the prospect of resettling in PNG.

At least 10 men sewed their lips shut and asylum seekers said four Pakistani men swallowed washing powder, while two Iranians swallowed razor blades as part of the protest.

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton said on Friday hunger strikes or acts of self-harm would not affect the outcome of asylum applications and reiterated that the men on Manus Island would never settle in Australia.

He accused people in Australia and "ringleaders" at the centre of encouraging self-harm to get attention.

The PNG government has strongly supported the Australian Government's position, saying any asylum seeker who poses a threat to others will be moved to another more secure facility while their application is processed.