Security forces on Saturday charged a crowd of about 100 protesters in the centre of Myanmar’s main city Yangon, beating many of them and arresting about five, witness said.

The group had gathered on the Pansoedan bridge in downtown Yangon, and as soon as they started to clap their hands, the squad of about 50 security forces swooped and began attacking them, they said.
“They beat people so badly. I wonder how these people can bear it. I saw the security forces arrest about five people on the streets,” said one Yangon resident who witnessed the scene.

Those who were not detained managed to disperse, the witnesses aid. The small protest was the first to be held in Yangon on Saturday, as an overwhelming security operation successfully choked off daily rallies that attracted 10,000 on Friday and tens of thousands earlier in the week.

UN envoy arrives
Meanwhile, UN envoy Ibrahim Gambari arrived in Myanmar on Saturday, looking to convince the military junta to end its brutal crackdown on demonstrators that has virtually strangled a people’s movement to end 45 years of military rule. Gambari arrived at the Yangon airport and was being briefed by the UN officials. He was expected to head immediately to Naypyitaw, where the country’s military leaders are based.

Western diplomats said Gambari’s schedule was set by the government and likely would not include meetings with pro-democracy figures, such as Nobel peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, who is under house arrest.

Internet access
Internet access was restored briefly in military-ruled Myanmar on Saturday, a day after a Web blackout believed to have been imposed to stop reports and pictures of a major crackdown reaching the outside world. Pictures and video footage have played a major role in fuelling international revulsion at the crackdown on mass protests.