TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Protesters clashed with police during a heated environmental impact assessment meeting in Nantou County on Monday (March 16). The conflict arose over the proposed construction of an incinerator in Mingjian Township (名間鄉), which has sparked significant public opposition due to environmental concerns and its location near a tea-producing area.
Members of the Mingjian Anti-Incinerator Association (名間鄉反焚化爐自救會) and various environmental groups gathered at the Nantou County Women and Children Affairs Building (南投縣婦幼館) early in the day. They held banners and chanted slogans opposing the construction of the incinerator. Protesters became agitated upon entering the venue, seeing a heavy police presence and tables separating the environmental assessment committee from the public.
During the meeting, protesters led chants using megaphones, scattered tea leaves, and damaged tables. Police intervened when a protester climbed onto a table, resulting in a violent confrontation. A protester allegedly bit a female officer, leading to the arrest of two individuals.
Nantou County Magistrate Hsu Shu-hua (許淑華) emphasized the need for scientific data to address the county's waste problem and noted that over 80% of county residents support the incinerator's construction. Nantou Environmental Protection Bureau (南投環保局) Commissioner Li Yi-shu (李易書) stated that the assessment aimed to explore alternative solutions and announced plans to press charges for property damage and assault.
Magistrate Hsu accused the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP, 民進黨) of politicizing the incinerator issue and called on the central government (中央政府) to expedite the assessment process. The Environmental Protection Bureau continues to evaluate alternative sites, although it considers the current location in Hsinmin Village (新民村) the most suitable.