Conflict During Dajia Mazu Pilgrimage in Changhua Leaves 3 Police Injured; Violent Man Carrying Drugs Detained
During the Dajia Mazu pilgrimage in Changhua, a conflict broke out injuring 3 police officers. A 21-year-old man who committed the violence and possessed drugs was arrested and detained incommunicado.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 19, 2026 at 21:09
- 🔍 Collected: April 19, 2026 at 21:31 (21 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 19, 2026 at 21:56 (24 min after Collected)
Central News Agency
(CNA Reporter Hsiao Po-yang, Changhua County, 19th) A conflict over receiving the palanquin broke out late last night in Changhua City during the Dajia Mazu pilgrimage, injuring three police officers. The police arrested the troublemaker, surnamed Chen, on the spot and found drugs on him. Today, he was brought to justice on charges of obstructing public duties, assault, and drug offenses. Prosecutors requested he be detained incommunicado, which the court approved in the evening.
The Dajia Jenn Lann Temple in Taichung began its 9-day, 8-night Mazu pilgrimage on the evening of the 17th. When the Mazu palanquin passed through the Ziqiang Road section in Changhua City late last night, a group dressed in orange shirts pushed and fought with the police. This resulted in a broken nose for Captain Hsiao of the Changhua Precinct's investigation squad, and abrasions and contusions for Sub-captain Chiu and Detective Huang. The police arrested a 21-year-old troublemaker surnamed Chen on the spot and are continuing to hunt down three other suspects involved.
Chen, the man suspected of attacking the police, was arrested at the scene. He was found carrying drug coffee packets and ketamine cigarettes, and he had gang affiliations and multiple criminal records. Today, he was transferred to the Changhua District Prosecutors Office on suspicion of obstructing public duties, assault, disturbing public order, and drug offenses. After questioning, the prosecutor believed that the defendant Chen was heavily suspected of crimes such as assault and disturbing public order, and that there was a risk of him colluding with accomplices or destroying evidence, and thus applied to the Changhua District Court to have him detained incommunicado. The court granted the ruling in the evening.
The conflict drew condemnation from netizens and various parties. Yen Ching-piao, chairman of the Dajia Jenn Lann Temple, said that the Mazu pilgrimage is a joyous occasion and there should be no conflict over receiving the palanquin; doing so is wrong. Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislator Huang Hsiu-fang, whose electoral district includes Changhua City, said that religious beliefs should not become a cloak to cover up crimes. Actions such as causing trouble, challenging public authority, carrying drugs, and gang-related behaviors must be severely condemned.
DPP legislator Chen Su-yueh stated that all Mazu devotees absolutely do not allow individuals with ulterior motives to use religious activities to cause trouble. She has zero tolerance for any violent behavior and fully supports the police in investigating strictly and processing quickly. Changhua Mayor Lin Shih-hsien said that in addition to the violent conflict last night, a large amount of garbage was left on the streets. He also urged the prosecutors and police to continue investigating whether gangs are using religious activities to commit violence. (Editor: Chen Jen-hua) 1150419
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(CNA Reporter Hsiao Po-yang, Changhua County, 19th) A conflict over receiving the palanquin broke out late last night in Changhua City during the Dajia Mazu pilgrimage, injuring three police officers. The police arrested the troublemaker, surnamed Chen, on the spot and found drugs on him. Today, he was brought to justice on charges of obstructing public duties, assault, and drug offenses. Prosecutors requested he be detained incommunicado, which the court approved in the evening.
The Dajia Jenn Lann Temple in Taichung began its 9-day, 8-night Mazu pilgrimage on the evening of the 17th. When the Mazu palanquin passed through the Ziqiang Road section in Changhua City late last night, a group dressed in orange shirts pushed and fought with the police. This resulted in a broken nose for Captain Hsiao of the Changhua Precinct's investigation squad, and abrasions and contusions for Sub-captain Chiu and Detective Huang. The police arrested a 21-year-old troublemaker surnamed Chen on the spot and are continuing to hunt down three other suspects involved.
Chen, the man suspected of attacking the police, was arrested at the scene. He was found carrying drug coffee packets and ketamine cigarettes, and he had gang affiliations and multiple criminal records. Today, he was transferred to the Changhua District Prosecutors Office on suspicion of obstructing public duties, assault, disturbing public order, and drug offenses. After questioning, the prosecutor believed that the defendant Chen was heavily suspected of crimes such as assault and disturbing public order, and that there was a risk of him colluding with accomplices or destroying evidence, and thus applied to the Changhua District Court to have him detained incommunicado. The court granted the ruling in the evening.
The conflict drew condemnation from netizens and various parties. Yen Ching-piao, chairman of the Dajia Jenn Lann Temple, said that the Mazu pilgrimage is a joyous occasion and there should be no conflict over receiving the palanquin; doing so is wrong. Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislator Huang Hsiu-fang, whose electoral district includes Changhua City, said that religious beliefs should not become a cloak to cover up crimes. Actions such as causing trouble, challenging public authority, carrying drugs, and gang-related behaviors must be severely condemned.
DPP legislator Chen Su-yueh stated that all Mazu devotees absolutely do not allow individuals with ulterior motives to use religious activities to cause trouble. She has zero tolerance for any violent behavior and fully supports the police in investigating strictly and processing quickly. Changhua Mayor Lin Shih-hsien said that in addition to the violent conflict last night, a large amount of garbage was left on the streets. He also urged the prosecutors and police to continue investigating whether gangs are using religious activities to commit violence. (Editor: Chen Jen-hua) 1150419
Cherish life, stay away from drugs. You can call the Drug Hazard Prevention Center hotline 0800-770-885 for addiction treatment information and professional assistance.
Choose to stand with facts. Every sponsorship from you is the power to protect freedom of the press.
Download the CNA 'First Hand News' APP to grasp the latest news instantly.
Texts, pictures, and audio-visuals on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and utilized without authorization.