MEXICAN police arrested 13 activists on Wednesday at a demonstration by Maya Indians against water rate rises.

The Mayas were the original inhabitants of the Caribbean Coast area but have been pushed onto dry farmland inland.

Households in Felipe Carrillo Puerto town had long paid a flat £3.14 monthly fee for water.

But the water authority began charging more for water use after installing water meters last year and activists took over the authority office, holding it for over a week. 

Local police removed them and charged the 13 detainees with riot and abusing police. 

The authority claimed protesters attacked officers with sticks and stones.

But protest supporter Julio Lara Martinez of the Democratic Revolution Party said police were too heavy-handed.

“The people of the region have been shunted off to live in poverty, they haven’t benefited from growth in tourism,” he said. 

“They are demanding a lower rate for a depressed area.”