Taipei: The Ministry of the Interior (MOI) plans to deploy 17,000 police and additional personnel, including civil defense staff and volunteers, to enhance security at major events across Taiwan as the Lunar New Year holiday approaches.

According to Focus Taiwan, a MOI report indicates that local police departments have been instructed to organize duty assignments and strengthen security measures, involving a total of 17,295 personnel. Interior Minister Liu Shyh-fang highlighted that these deployments are intended to increase police visibility and strengthen deterrence at 137 events scheduled nationwide before the holiday.

This initiative follows Friday's fatal attacks at MRT Taipei Main Station and nearby MRT Zhongshan Station, where a 27-year-old man, Chang Wen, carried out assaults using smoke grenades and a knife, resulting in three fatalities and at least 11 injuries. The attacker later fell to his death from the roof of a department store during a police pursuit.

Since the incident, the MOI reported receiving 20 online threats at various locations as of 7 p.m. Sunday. All threats have been investigated, and three suspects have been detained. The ministry issued a stern warning against individuals posting such threats online, emphasizing Taiwan's zero tolerance for terror acts and urging the public to avoid treating criminal acts as entertainment.

Minister Liu noted that threats and intimidation significantly impact public anxiety and unease. Local police will continue collaborating with the Criminal Investigation Bureau to investigate these cases diligently. During a legislative hearing, lawmakers inquired if the Taipei incident will be included in the National Public Safety Guide for addressing major violent threats, and if similar future incidents might trigger emergency text alerts. Liu confirmed the inclusion of the incident in the updated guide, expected next year pending approval.

Regarding emergency text alerts, Liu mentioned that authorities need to evaluate whether such messages could cause unnecessary panic, as currently, local governments primarily use them for evacuation during natural disasters. At the hearing, National Police Agency Director-General Chang Jung-hsin addressed whether smoke grenades and signal flares should be regulated, stating that the sale of smoke grenades will be reviewed within a month to determine if buyer registration is necessary.