Statues stolen from museum

Eighteen priceless Pala period bronze statues of Lord Buddha were found stolen from the high security Patna Museum on Tuesday. The burglary came to light on a day when Singapore8217;s Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs arrived here evincing interest in developing the state8217;s Buddhist circuit. He is also scheduled to visit Patna Museum, where the ashes of Lord Buddha are preserved.

When the museum was opened today, after the weekly closure on Monday, the officials were shocked to see that some pieces from the first-floor bronze statue gallery were missing. Investigating officials said the burglars entered the gallery by breaking the skylight of the old building. It is believed that the theft took place on Sunday night.

Museum officials were quick to blame the police. 8220;After we closed the museum on Sunday evening, the security was handed over to the police,8221; Director of Museums Shahdeo Kumar said.

Asked about the value of the stolen statues, Kumar just said they were priceless. 8220;It could be worth millions or even billions. It is difficult to put a figure,8221; he added. He said among the stolen items was a one-foot statue of Lord Buddha, while the others were smaller pieces.