Tasi Gurung, a businessman, was arrested from Nagintole in Pokhara along with 21 sacks of the stones weighing 900 kg. Working on a tip-off, a team of police arrested Tashi, ready to get on the micro-bus along with the Saligarm stones. In the course of inquiry, the driver of the micro-bus revealed that sacks loaded in the microbus belonged to Gurung, according to Police Inspector Madan Kunwar. [break]
Police have already handed over Gurung along with recovered stones to The Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) for further investigation.
Gurung said that he had brought the stones from Kagbeni of Mustang and was preparing to transport it to Kathmandu. According to police, although the Saligarm Stones are being smuggled out to Kathmandu through Pokhara, Gurung is the first person to be arrested so far.
“I have been taking the stones to Kathmandu for long. Police had done nothing so far. I have been earning my living dealing with these stone. I don´t know why police arrested me this time,” said Gurung.
ACAP has informed that Gurung will be tried under the charge of illegal smuggling of minerals. This is biggest ever quantity of the stones recovered by the police so far. ACAP has said that it has started a deeper investigation into the issue. Recording the statement, Gurung has conceded that he used to sell the stones in Lakeside area of Pokhara and Thamel in Kathmandu to the foreign tourist.
Sale and purchase of Shaligam stones are prohibited. The stone have religious significant in Hindu mythology as it is considered to be the symbol of lord Vishnu. One piece of the stone sells from Rs 500 to 1500 in the market. The stones are purchased mostly by Indian tourists.
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