A general strike on Wednesday swept across six regions of southern Peru.

The 48 hour strike will last until Thursday and is in solidarity with protests against the Tía María mining project in the Valley of Tambo, province of Islay in the Arequipa region.

The northern region of Cajamarca has also joined the general strike. Dozens of protesters have been arrested and at least four lives have been claimed since the Tía María conflict began.

Meanwhile, the UN Regional Office for Human Rights has called for a de-escalation of tensions.

President Ollanta Humala has responded by deploying the army to all of the regions in which the general strike has been called.

The strike comes four days after President Ollanta Humala declared a State of Emergency in Islay, which is meant to last for 60 days.

The emergency measures restrict citizens' rights to freedom of movement and assembly, and authorizes police to enter people’s houses without a warrant.

Telesur