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Idol smuggling gang busted

ALLAHABAD, SEPT. 2 . Special Operation Group of the Allahabad police today busted an international gang of idol smugglers and arrested five members while recovering nine idols, estimated to be worth Rs 1.5 crores in the international market.

Acting on a tip-off, the SOG sleuths intercepted a jeep without a number plate near the Hathi park and recovered nine ancient ashtadhatu idols, reported to be several centuries old and arrested five smugglers.

The arrested persons admitted that they were waiting for the buyers at the site for the smuggled idols.

Police said two idols, one of Lord Vishnu and Lord Balram, are of 11th century while two idols of Laddu Gopal are 800 years old. The other idols of the Lord Krishna, Takshak snake and Lord Vishnu are of 14th century.

The officials of the archaeology department confirmed that the recovered idols bore historical importance and had a specific antique value.

Police said the idols were stolen from Khajuraho, Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh, Bundelkhand area, Mathura and Fatehpur in UP.

The smugglers confessed that they used to sell the idols to smugglers from foreign countries at higher prices. The arrested smugglers hailed from Kaushambi district and were involved in the business for the last several years.

UNI

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