PHIDIM: Unidentified thieves took away cash around Rs 200,000 from a donation box at the Chiyokholing Monastery premises in Phungling Municipality-6 in Taplejung district on Sunday.

According to Chief of the Monastery, Lama Kulman Gurung, the gang entered into the monastery by breaking three padlocks before getting hold of the donation box.

It has been learned that the box was not opened for last five years. Gurung surmised that around Rs 200,000 was collected in the box in this period.

Gurung further said the donation box, broken, was discovered near the monastery after some hours.

He suspected that the incident might have taken place during the afternoon as no one attends the monastery that time.

DSP Ram Bahadur KC said they have initiated the action to nab the absconding suspects and are looking into the case.