DOLPA, Jan 11: The ward chairperson of Dolpo Buddha rural municipality has been arrested for allegedly stealing idols from Rahap Gumba of She Phoksundo rural municipality-4.

Karma Gurung, 35 was arrested from Baudha, Kathmandu.  Gurung won the local level elections as an independent candidate. He had later joined Nepal Communist Party after the unification of two communist parties.  

Likewise, Ukren Pasang Gurung, 41, and Pasang Lundup Gurung of She-Phoksundo Rural Municipality; Jhyampachhuldim Lama, 41, and Tshering Dawa Gurung, 43, of Dolpo Buddha Rural Municipality were also held from a special team of Central Investigation Bureau.

Deputy Superintendent of Police of Dolpa District Police Office, Awadesh Bista confirmed Karma Gurung’s arrest on the charge of idol theft and added that further investigations were ongoing. 

A total of 42 Buddha’s idols were stolen from the Rahap Monastery some eight years ago. However, it came to public notice around four months ago.

 
• dolpa
 
• idols