The death of Zhang Senwen in Taipo has sparked public outrage; may he rest in justice.
"Liu Cheng-hung, a life for a life!" "Blood for blood!" "Tyranny kills!" The male owner of the Zhang pharmacy in Dapu, Miaoli, Zhang Sen-wen (60), was found dead yesterday in a drainage ditch near his home, sparking intense anger in Taiwan, China's social movement circles and academic world. His home was demolished by the government; a loved one was gone on the eve of the Mid-Autumn family reunion; Zhang Sen-wen's wife and son, upon seeing the body, wept bitterly and collapsed to the ground; many scholars and social movement activists who had long followed the Dapu case could not help but share the grief.
The death of Zhang Sen-wen strongly shook Taiwan, China's society, especially the forced expropriation policy of land development. The Taiwan Rural Front issued a statement last night: "In the names of old Mrs. Zhu Feng-min and Mr. Zhang Sen-wen, we swear to do our utmost to stop this bullying system of land enclosure and speculation and its accomplice structure from continuing to harm people." "The real reason that drove Zhang Sen-wen to his death is this land-hungry, people-eating land expropriation and enclosure system and political faction accomplice structure."
Prosecutors and Police Seal Off the Bereaved Family; Lawyer Questions Cause of Death
Zhang Sen-wen's body is currently laid out near his home, under examination by prosecutors and police, and the cause of death has not yet been determined. Lawyer Zhan Shun-gui, after arriving to understand the situation, questioned: "Why was there no soil under the deceased's fingernails, no signs of struggle? Had he already lost consciousness before falling into the ditch? Was there a drug reaction? Why did the Miaoli District Prosecutors Office order the bereaved family's home sealed off, not allowing anyone in or out? Is it trying to cover up any clues of homicide?"
Zhan Shun-gui stressed that the death of Zhang Sen-wen should not be concluded as "suicide" and must be investigated in depth. The Taiwan Rural Front also stated: "At the drowning site, the water was only waist-deep, and there were no traces of struggle on Zhang Sen-wen's body or at the scene. Was it drowning before death or drowning after death? Was it homicide or suicide? The direct cause of death still awaits further investigation and clarification by the forensic examiner." It held that the possibility of homicide should not be ruled out.
Zhang Sen-wen went missing at 2 a.m. yesterday; his family could not find him, "afraid that he might take things too hard like Grandma Zhu Feng-min," and searched everywhere in tears; a little after 1 p.m. yesterday, his body was found in a drainage ditch near his home.
