Community pressure is mounting with calls for the resignation of a remote Northern Territory mayor seen sitting on an Aboriginal child in footage circulated last week.

In the video, Barkly Regional Council mayor Jeffrey McLaughlin is seen performing what he called a "citizen's arrest" on the child while another man can be heard delivering threats to the young boy.

The incident is said to have occurred in August.

"If I had my way mate, I wouldn't be ringing the cops…you're lucky I don't punch you right in the head…don't 'mister' me. If I catch you around here again I will kill you," the man accompanying Mr Laughlin said.

The same man can then be seen placing his boot on the child's head.

The young boy is understood to suffer from foetal alcohol syndrome disorder, according to reports.

Mr McLaughlin, who is seen sitting on the boy, told NT News his actions were justified.

"On the 21st of August 2023, I made a citizen's arrest of a youth attempting to break into my family home, as I am lawfully entitled to," he said on Saturday.

"The force I used to apprehend the youth was entirely reasonable in the circumstances.

"While the spontaneous remarks and conduct of the other adult male in the footage can rightly be described as inappropriate, they are not mine and I did not encourage them."

Mr McLaughlin is mayor of a council which covers a large stretch of the NT between Darwin and Alice Springs - including Tennant Creek, where the footage is understood to have been captured.

NT News reported up to 25 Tennant Creek residents gathered in the town with signs reading 'sack the mayor' and 'Black kids' lives matter' among other messages, with plans for a petition asking for Mr McLaughlin's resignation to be handed to the council this week.

Police are understood to be investigating the matter.

Mr McLaughlin is due to return from three weeks of planned leave this week.

In an interview with the ABC over the weekend, Mr McLaughlin said: "I didn't squish him, I just sat on him".

"I said, 'I can't let you go, it's school hours'. I was there for the child's welfare. We did everything by the tee."

Mr McLaughlin said the full 20 minute incident has been taken out of context by the short video.

The behaviour has been widely questioned, with acting Barkley Regional Council mayor Greg Marlow, who had been in the role while Mr McLaughlin was on leave, saying the vision was "not a good look by any measure".

Acting NT Children's Commissioner Nicole Hucks told the ABC she "can only describe the actions of the adults in the footage as cruel and extremely alarming".

"Most unnerving is that one of the adults identified in the footage is an elected local leader and holds the position of Barkly Regional Council Mayor," Ms Hucks said.

"I am deeply concerned that this footage shows vigilantism is alive in the Northern Territory, and that this behaviour is only encouraged by the continued negative, stereotypical and often discriminatory portrayal of children in the media and on social media — which has to stop."

Indigenous children's welfare peak body SNAICC also condemned the behaviour, and called for Mr McLaughlin to resign as mayor.

"No matter what the child is alleged to have done, this is unacceptable behaviour from two grown men, especially from a person who is meant to be a community leader," SNAICC chief executive Catherine Liddle said.

"He (Mr McLaughlin) obviously knows the child, and could have easily identified him if necessary without resorting to the behaviour that may have resulted in harm to the child.

"It is sickening and inexcusable. We cannot ignore this sort of behaviour and violent threats made towards children. I call on Mr. McLaughlin to do the right thing, set an example to his community, and resign immediately."

NT News reports NT chief minister Natasha Fyles acknowledged community frustrations played a hand in the incident, but labelled the viewing "confronting".

"I have seen that video and it's confronting but I can understand people's frustration," Ms Fyles said.

"I'm frustrated when it comes to anti-social behaviour and community safety and we're working as hard as we can across a range of areas, but I'll allow police to undertake their investigation into that matter.

"It's very confronting vision to watch but I can also feel the frustration of our community and as I said, police are investigating that matter and I'll leave it to them."