Kathmandu, April 4
The Department of Archaeology, which is responsible for protecting and maintaining all kinds of cultural and archaeological heritages in the country, has no record of ancient idols and artefacts stolen so far.
The DoA also failed to provide the exact number of idols stolen in recent years.
DoA Director General Bhes Narayan Dahal said they received seven to 10 complaints about stolen idols every year.
DoA officials, on the other hand, told THT that they had recorded 300 to 400 complaints about stolen idols since 1995. If this figure is to be believed, at least 13 to more than 22 idols are stolen every year on an average.
DG Dahal said thousands of idols were smuggled overseas during 1960s, 70s and 80s. He said they informed police and alerted Interpol when idols went missing.
DoA officials said around 40 idols and artefacts have been returned to the department from abroad so far. According to the UNESCO convention of 1974, any country that has foreign idols of archaeological value should return them to the country of origin.
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A version of this article appears in print on April 05, 2018 of The Himalayan Times.