* Protesters, police dispute who shot first at roadblock

* Indigenous leader calls protester killings genocide

* Protests target high poverty rate, control of resources

* Garcia blames violence on opposition strategy (Recasts, updates death toll)

By Terry Wade and Marco Aquino

LIMA, June 5 (Reuters) - Up to 31 people died and dozens were injured in clashes on Friday between Peruvian police and Amazon tribes protesting against government efforts to lure foreign energy and mining companies to the rain forest.

In the worst unrest of President Alan Garcia's government, 22 protesters and nine police officers died, tribal leaders and the interior ministry said.

The conflict, which could put pressure on Garcia's prime minister to quit, has underscored deep divisions in Peru between wealthy elites in Lima and poor indigenous groups in the countryside.

Critics say the government has not done enough to lower the poverty rate from 36 percent and that economic boom times enjoyed before the current downturn failed to reach the poor.