Chinese authorities arrested villagers in southern Yunnan province after they welcomed back residents detained following repeated clashes with police over local farmland.

Villagers of Guangji, about 30 minutes south of Kunming, the capital of Yunnan province, were taken into police custody after they celebrated the return of released prisoners, Chinese news service Pengpai reported Thursday.

Kunming police disclosed footage of the recent welcome ceremony that included firecrackers, a performance of gongs and drums and local women performing a fan dance.

Villagers carried banners that read, "Heroes have returned home," which local authorities have interpreted as a provocation.

Police in response took into custody 13 villagers on April 22. Authorities plan to educate villagers on "illegal acts," according to Pengpai.