DOLPA: Karma Gurung, Chairman of Dolpo Buddha Rural Municipality-5 in Upper Dolpa, has been arrested on the charge of idol theft from Kathmandu.

A team of police personnel deployed from the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) arrested Gurung from Bouddha in the capital city.

Police said that Ward Chair Gurung was held for allegedly stealing Buddha idols from Rahap Monastery situated in She-Phoksundo Rural Municipality-4. Gurung, an independent candidate, was elected the ward chair in the recent local level elections but later joined the Nepal Communist Party (NCP) 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), the residents of Dolpo Buddha Rural Municipality have also been held by the CIB.

Asked about the arrest of ward chairman, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Awadesh Bista at Dolpa District Police Office 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 Rahap Monastery some eight years ago but the locals had noticed the issue just about four months ago.