Beijing, May 13 (IANS): An award-winning photo-journalist and two reporters were beaten up in Chinese metropolis Shanghai when the photographer took pictures of a demolition site in the city, police said.

The three journalists -- Yong He, Yin Liqin and Zhao Lirong -- were involved in a dispute with the builder from the Tonghai construction company in Huangpu district. A camera was damaged during the dispute, police said Saturday.

Two workers were detained for beating the journalists, the Shanghai Daily reported.

Residents said they saw more than 50 workers surrounding the journalists.

Yong He, 56, works with the Xinmin Evening News, Shanghai's biggest newspaper. His pictures reflect social problems and the city's changes. He was recently awarded China's top photo news award.

He said he went to the site to document the rapid development of the city and the urbanization process. However, three women demolition officials rushed up to him, and another two hit him with an umbrella.

When he said he had the right to take pictures, Yong said he was encircled by a group of workers who knocked him to the ground.

Yong had a six-cm bloody wound on his knee, and cuts and bruises on his back, legs and elbows.