5 Indicted for Assaulting Police During Dajia Mazu Pilgrimage in Changhua
The Changhua District Prosecutors Office indicted five individuals for assaulting three police officers during a conflict at the Dajia Mazu pilgrimage on the night of the 18th.
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- 📰 Published: April 29, 2026 at 11:15
- 🔍 Collected: April 29, 2026 at 11:31 (16 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 29, 2026 at 12:07 (35 min after Collected)
(Central News Agency, reporter Zheng Weizhen, Changhua, 29th) A conflict occurred during the Dajia Mazu pilgrimage in Changhua City late on the night of the 18th, resulting in injuries to three police officers. The Changhua District Prosecutors Office stated today that the investigation has concluded, and five defendants, including a man surnamed Chen, have been indicted on charges such as obstructing public duties.
According to the indictment from the Changhua Prosecutors Office, four men surnamed Chen, Ke, and the Ye brothers traveled from Taichung to Changhua City on the 18th to participate in the pilgrimage near the Minsheng Underpass. After arriving, they changed into orange temple shirts and later waited for the divine palanquin near Ziqiang Road.
A serviceman surnamed Zeng also joined the group after being invited by a friend. Due to a delay, the palanquin didn't arrive until 10:50 PM, by which time the crowd was already pushed together.
The five men, intending to 'seize the palanquin' (qiang jiao), knowingly obstructed police officers on duty. The Ye brothers and Ke began shouting and pushing against the police, inciting others to join. When officers tried to stop them, Chen punched the detective captain in the face, causing a concussion and a nasal fracture. He also pushed down a squad leader before being arrested.
Ke then attacked the squad leader while Chen was being restrained, causing abrasions. Zeng punched another officer, causing eye injuries, and damaged the squad leader's glasses, resulting in repair costs of NT$10,000.
The prosecutors office assigned a special team to investigate. Chen, Ke, and Zeng are charged with obstructing public duties and assault, with Zeng additionally charged with property damage. The Ye brothers are charged with aiding the obstruction of public duties. The prosecutor emphasized that religious fervor is no excuse for violence and that challenges to public authority will be dealt with strictly.
According to the indictment from the Changhua Prosecutors Office, four men surnamed Chen, Ke, and the Ye brothers traveled from Taichung to Changhua City on the 18th to participate in the pilgrimage near the Minsheng Underpass. After arriving, they changed into orange temple shirts and later waited for the divine palanquin near Ziqiang Road.
A serviceman surnamed Zeng also joined the group after being invited by a friend. Due to a delay, the palanquin didn't arrive until 10:50 PM, by which time the crowd was already pushed together.
The five men, intending to 'seize the palanquin' (qiang jiao), knowingly obstructed police officers on duty. The Ye brothers and Ke began shouting and pushing against the police, inciting others to join. When officers tried to stop them, Chen punched the detective captain in the face, causing a concussion and a nasal fracture. He also pushed down a squad leader before being arrested.
Ke then attacked the squad leader while Chen was being restrained, causing abrasions. Zeng punched another officer, causing eye injuries, and damaged the squad leader's glasses, resulting in repair costs of NT$10,000.
The prosecutors office assigned a special team to investigate. Chen, Ke, and Zeng are charged with obstructing public duties and assault, with Zeng additionally charged with property damage. The Ye brothers are charged with aiding the obstruction of public duties. The prosecutor emphasized that religious fervor is no excuse for violence and that challenges to public authority will be dealt with strictly.