NEW DELHI: India's rich cultural heritage is under threat from international smuggling syndicates that are stealing antiquities and historical artefacts from various archaeological sites and old temples, says a report of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), which has compiled a list of seized antiques.
In high demand in the West, stolen artefacts seized by the agency over the last few years include terracotta figurines from the 1st century AD, bronze figurines of Mahishasur Mardini and Ganesh dating back to the 17th & 18th centuries, and sculptures of Varada Ganesh, Padmapani, Awalokateshwara, Standing Vishnu and Naga and Nagini from the 10th and 11th centuries.
The DRI, which celebrated its 60th Foundation Day on Monday, also presented a detailed paper on recent achievements in combating cross-border smuggling and white-collar crimes. "Various smuggling syndicates vandalise archaeological sites and old temples in India to steal the antiquities and objects of art," the paper said. These artefacts are then sold in Indian and international markets for huge profits, it added. Recently the agency recovered 12 pieces of 'Shahajahani' wood pillars carved with floral designs.
The smuggling of psychotropic substances has also significantly increased in recent years. Seizures of ganja and hashish rose from six tonnes in 2016 to more than 16 in 2017. "This indicates large-scale use of these drugs on the Indian street," the agency noted. The DRI and other customs formations arrested 176 people in the past year during operations against drug smuggling.
Smuggling syndicates are also plundering India's wildlife and scarce environmental resources. The agency has made several interceptions and prevented illicit trade in wildlife products. Among the seizures were the skin and skeletal remains of a Royal Bengal tiger, which are
In high demand in the West, stolen artefacts seized by the agency over the last few years include terracotta figurines from the 1st century AD, bronze figurines of Mahishasur Mardini and Ganesh dating back to the 17th & 18th centuries, and sculptures of Varada Ganesh, Padmapani, Awalokateshwara, Standing Vishnu and Naga and Nagini from the 10th and 11th centuries.
The DRI, which celebrated its 60th Foundation Day on Monday, also presented a detailed paper on recent achievements in combating cross-border smuggling and white-collar crimes. "Various smuggling syndicates vandalise archaeological sites and old temples in India to steal the antiquities and objects of art," the paper said. These artefacts are then sold in Indian and international markets for huge profits, it added. Recently the agency recovered 12 pieces of 'Shahajahani' wood pillars carved with floral designs.
The smuggling of psychotropic substances has also significantly increased in recent years. Seizures of ganja and hashish rose from six tonnes in 2016 to more than 16 in 2017. "This indicates large-scale use of these drugs on the Indian street," the agency noted. The DRI and other customs formations arrested 176 people in the past year during operations against drug smuggling.
Smuggling syndicates are also plundering India's wildlife and scarce environmental resources. The agency has made several interceptions and prevented illicit trade in wildlife products. Among the seizures were the skin and skeletal remains of a Royal Bengal tiger, which are
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