Arunachal: Tourist from West Bengal caught with items stolen from Tawang Monastery

Guwahati: A visitor from West Bengal was apprehended in Arunachal Pradesh after allegedly taking sacred items from two major sites in Tawang, including the Tawang Monastery, officials reported on Thursday.

CCTV footage that circulated widely on social media led authorities to identify the 54-year-old tourist, Tawang Deputy Superintendent of Police Kato Tasso said.

Investigators confirmed that a Buddha idol had been removed from the Tawang Monastery, India’s largest. In addition, Tingsha cymbals and two metal butter lamps were reportedly taken from the Giant Buddha Statue Park.

Footage showed the visitor handling the religious objects, prompting police to launch an immediate investigation, the officer added.

Police tracked the suspect on Wednesday morning and recovered all the stolen items from his possession. The recovered artifacts, valued between Rs 15,000 and Rs 20,000, were returned to their respective sites.

After the recovery, the administration of Buddha Park Gompa decided not to file a formal complaint. The caretaker monk and management forgave the tourist following his assurance that he would not repeat such behaviour.

The man provided a written statement admitting his actions and promising to respect the sanctity of religious sites in the future. He was warned about potential legal consequences for similar conduct, Tasso added.

Officials said the visitor had arrived in Tawang with his wife on March 2 for a holiday