Detainees 'led away in handcuffs' after Manus Island stand-off

Asylum seekers who had barricaded themselves inside a compound on Manus Island have been forcibly removed, refugee advocates say.

Security staff, including Australian personnel, moved on Delta block this afternoon to resolve a stand-off, following a week of protests at the detention centre.

A Papua New Guinea government spokesman told the ABC that chief migration officer Mataio Rabura entered the block to negotiate an end to the blockade.

The spokesman said security guards were involved but there was no confrontation and while police were there, they stayed back.

There were no serious injuries reported.

However, witnesses have told Ian Rintoul from the Refugee Action Coalition that about 30 people were removed from Delta block, some in handcuffs who were dragged along the ground.

Mr Rintoul had earlier claimed drinking water had been removed from the Delta compound and said protests were continuing with many of the detainees still on a hunger strike.

"I've been speaking to people in all of the compounds and, no, it's not resolved." Mr Rintoul told AAP.

The compound had been barricaded since Friday.

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton on Monday said some protesters had been aggressive behaviour, which has been denied by refugee advocates.

"The actions of some transferees are actively preventing the delivery of food, water and medical services to others who are not participating in the protest," Mr Dutton said in a statement on Monday.

"Water has not been 'cut off'."

Mr Dutton said the "disturbing actions" of protesters over the weekend put centre staff as well as other detainees in danger.

"Transferee threats to staff will not be tolerated - nor will action to coerce other transferees into protesting."

But Mr Rintoul said the protests over the past week had been "completely peaceful".

"What we've seen is a serious and mistaken use of force against peaceful protesters that will do nothing to resolve the situation," he said.

Mr Dutton has labelled the claims of refugee advocates as "false and irresponsible", saying they undermine the work of Manus Island staff who are trying to engage with detainees.

Opposition leader Bill Shorten has called for transparency at the processing centre.

"The government just needs to come clean with what is happening," he said.