The landless peasant movement in Brazil has warned of a possible upsurge in violence following the killing of one of its members by gunmen on Friday.

Leaders of the organisation known as MST, in the southern Brazilian state of Parana, said that further deaths were inevitable unless urgent action was taken by the authorities.

Tension between landowners and the movement has increased since the killing, amid allegations it was planned in order to force the peasants to leave farmland they are occupying.