KATHMANDU, NEPAL, Aug 10, 2016 (My Republica): Nepal Police has arrested a member of a gang of six to seven youths allegedly involved in stealing artifacts and antique murthis from quake-devastated buildings, temples and other structures. The police apprehended 19-year-old Prakash Raut, originally from Sindhupalchowk district, after he was found hauling away a heavy sack on his shoulder around midnight Sunday from Asan-27 of Kathmandu. “When we inspected his sack we found antique murthis along with the other items,” said DSP Binod Ghimire, chief of Metropolitan Police Circle Office, Janasewa. The murthis seem very old and of immense archeological importance, he said, adding that most of the items are ones used for Hindu prayers.
During the interrogation, Raut, who lives in a rented room near Shiva-Parvati temple in Basantapur, that he was involved only in transferring the items. The police has claimed that the gang of six to seven people was involved in stealing murthis from homes and temples and selling them for handsome prizes. “We have tracked all the suspects but yet to arrest them,” said Inspector Raj Maharjan of the office. The police also said that they were preparing to hand over the seized murthis to the Archaeological Department for further examination and send the alleged to police custody for further interrogation.