Myanmar's military junta continued to detain more individuals on Wednesday following the departure of a UN envoy who had visited the country in an attempt to stop the brutal crackdown on protests that had caused international outrage. Witnesses reported that at least eight truckloads of prisoners were taken away from downtown Yangon, the largest city in Myanmar and the focal point of recent protests against military rule and worsening economic conditions led by monks. In one house near the Shwedagon Pagoda, the most sacred shrine in the predominantly Buddhist country and the starting point of the demonstrations, only a 13-year-old girl remained after her parents were arrested. She recalled being warned not to flee as authorities might return, after people living in rows of shops were forced onto the streets in the middle of the night and many were taken away. The crackdown in Myanmar continued despite some optimism regarding progress made by UN special envoy Ibrahim Gambari in persuading junta chief Than Shwe to ease his strict control and engage in talks with detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Singapore, as chair of ASEAN, expressed satisfaction with the access and cooperation provided by the Myanmar government to Gambari. Gambari, en route back to New York from Singapore, was expected to return to Myanmar in early November, according to UN sources. However, it was uncertain how his efforts and international pressure would impact the junta's policies, as they typically ignore external pressure and rarely admit UN officials. Expectations for significant outcomes from these efforts were low. David Steinberg, an expert on Myanmar from Georgetown University, believes that the top leadership is deeply rooted in their beliefs and unlikely to change. He mentioned that they often argue they are progressing towards democracy and question what more people want. Steinberg referred to the junta's "seven-step road to democracy", with the first step being completed in September after a 14-year national convention. Critics argue that the constitution produced in this convention will only strengthen military rule and prevent Aung San Suu Kyi from holding office. The recent protests, which are the largest challenge to the junta's authority in two decades, began as small demonstrations against rising fuel prices in August and escalated after troops used force against a group of monks. The military government claims that the protests led by monks, which filled five city blocks, were met with minimal force and that Yangon and other cities had returned to normal. They acknowledge 10 deaths, dismissing reports of higher casualties as lies. However, Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer and other Western governments believe the actual death toll is much higher, possibly around 30. Despite this, the junta believes they have successfully quelled the uprising, lifting barricades around key protest sites and releasing some of the monks who were detained during raids on monasteries. One monk reported that most of those taken from his monastery were allowed to return without physical harm after being interrogated. However, despite reports of a heavy armed presence in the streets of Yangon and Mandalay, witnesses said that the junta was still sending gangs to search for monks in hiding in homes. These raids, which Western diplomats say are instilling fear, have not lessened international outrage over the brutal crackdown on peaceful protests. The UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, including China, a key ally of the regime, condemned the junta's violent actions and called for the UN human rights envoy to Myanmar, Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, to be allowed to visit for the first time in four years. Pinheiro reported that thousands of people have been detained. Pinheiro emphasized the importance of revealing the truth about the events that occurred, as he addressed the council that passed a resolution condemning acts of violence. Myanmar accused powerful nations of using the hearing for political gain.