Taiwan Villagers, Police Clash over Pulp Mill Plan
2/4/97
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Headline: Taiwan Villagers, Police Clash over Pulp Mill Plan
Source: Reuters
Date: 2/4/97
Copyright 1997 by Reuters
TAIPEI, Taiwan (Reuter) - More than 1,000 angry villagers Tuesday hurled
eggs and clashed with police in one of Taiwan's most violent disputes over
environmental protection, officials said.
The protesters in central Taiwan clashed with riot police while trying to
enter a Changhua county government building to protest a decision allowing
construction of a pulp mill in their tiny fishing village, a county
official said.
Ten police officers and five protesters were injured in the
melee, a hospital statement said. All were in stable condition.
State-funded television showed footage of the confrontation between an
estimated 1,000 protesters and a large force of police carrying riot
shields and sticks.
The county official said the villagers had reversed an earlier
understanding to welcome the mill. ``The villagers had agreed to
establishment of the pulp mill during a previous public hearing. I don't
know why they changed their mind,'' the official said by telephone from
Changhua. ``They claim the pulp mill will pollute their waters and
threaten their livelihood,'' she said.
The official said the government would continue to negotiate
with local residents. Protest organizers could not be reached for
comment.