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Tawang Tourist Detained Over Theft of Sacred Items, Pardoned After Recovery

Religious administrators chose a conciliatory resolution following full recovery of the sacred objects with a written pledge from the visitor.

Overview

  • Police in Tawang detained a 54-year-old tourist from West Bengal after CCTV footage of thefts at two Buddhist sites circulated widely on social media.
  • A Buddha idol was taken from Tawang Monastery, while a pair of Tingsha cymbals and two metal butter lamps were removed from the Giant Buddha Statue Park.
  • Officers recovered all items on Wednesday, with police valuing the articles at roughly Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000.
  • Local religious authorities declined to pursue a formal case and pardoned the visitor following his apology.
  • Police recorded a written undertaking from the man, warned him of legal consequences for any future offense, and noted he had arrived with his wife on March 2.