The police in Bhutan say they have broken up a pro-democracy demonstration in the kingdom's southern town of Phuentsoling.

A spokesman for the pro-democracy groups said a number of demonstrators had been severely beaten up by police and nearly fifty people had been arrested.

There is no word on arrests from the police.

Bhutan has recently introduced political reforms to ensure what it describes as a more participatory form of government.

Pro-democracy groups says these changes are largely cosmetic.

They are calling for a parliamentary form of government with a constitutional monarchy.