Subject: Over 200 stolen idols handed over to [Nepal] National Museum
Over 200 stolen idols handed over to National Museum Kathmandu Post Report KATHMANDU, March 3, 2003
Nepal Police today handed over 206 idols and other objects of archeological importance, recovered by the Valley Police at different places, to the National Museum yesterday. Inspector General of Police (IGP) Shyam Bhakta Thapa handed over the idols and other objects of archeological importance to Rehana Banu Saiyad, chief of the National Museum amidst a function here today. The recovered idols and other objects of archeological importance range from the ancient past to the twentieth century and are made of stone, mud and metal. The biggest idol belongs to the period of the sixteenth century while Padmapani Lokeshwor is the smallest idol of the 20th Kaumori. Speaking on the occasion, the Nepal Police chief Shyam Bhakta Thapa said the police is committed to protect the rich heritage of the country. Speaking at the programme, the chief of the National Museum Saiyad said the idols and other archeological objects would be exhibited in future to the public so as to facilitate scholars to study the objects. She remarked the stealing of idols is not only the problem of one country but all developing countries. Kuber Singh Rana, chief of Kathmandu District Police Office, showing the idols to the audience present at the function underlined the need to raise awareness against idol-lifting and the theft of other objects of archaeological importance.