BUILDING OF URBAN RENEWAL OPPOSER FORCEFULLY TORN DOWN |"建物傾斜危險" 都更不同意戶遭強拆

Early yesterday morning, an apartment building in Taipei was forcefully torn down as part of a controversial urban renewal plan, and one of the residents who has never signed up to the plan and still lives in the building, angrily accused the city government of foul play. Three weeks ago, the resident, surnamed Chang was invited to a meeting to discuss the project with city officials, and when he returned home he found his house partially knocked down. So far the developer has insisted it was entirely an accident, but soon after the event, the half-demolished building became a danger to the public, which means that it has to be torn down. And that led to what happened yesterday. Here's our report. Mr. Chang disagreed with an urban renewal plan involving his house on Taipei CIty's Chang-an West Rd., and the beam of his house had been taken down by the builder in early March. On the evening of March 24, he received an official document of force removal as his house may pose danger to public safety. ==MR. CHANG Owner of House== Just let me in to take my girlfriend's treasure bowl, it's a hand carved gift from her passed uncle, it's all I need. Does Taipei City Government have any humanity? The Chang family stayed outside their home attempting to go insides and take away stuff but failed because the police blocked the unit. Watching their home being demolished, The Chang family was extremely upset and protested by scattering joss paper. Mr. Chang's attorney emphasized that this building has passed safety evaluation by licenced structural technicians and the government should not remove it without further evidence. ==TSAI CHIH-YANG, Mr. Chang's Attorney== We accuse Comm. Lin of 5 crimes, and first of all he violates offences of destruction of evidence and obstructing an officer in duties, and also the offences of destruction, coercion, and abuse of public power for private profit. Wang Hsiao-yu, a member of Taipei City's Clean Government Committee, said she and the other members would support the Chang Family. But Commissioner Lin of the Department of Urban Development said on TV at 11 pm on March 22 that the removal was necessary for public safety. ==LIN JOU-MING Comm., Dept. of Urban Development, Taipei City Government== The forced removal was acted on behalf of the builder because the unit has been tilted and became a big safety concern that may threats civils' life. Commissioner Lin stressed that in the mediation meeting on March 20, Mr. Chang was present and was informed to remove his belongings before March 21. Although the dangerous unit had been demolished between 6:30 pm and 11 pm on March 22, to avoid further dispute, the builder needs to communicate carefully with those owners who oppose to the renewal plan. However, Mr. Chang has decided to press charges against Commissioner Lin. TRANSLATED BY：EMA FU