Several small Buddha statues were stolen by miscreants from the prayer wheel shed of Thupsung Dargye Ling Monastery in West Kameng district on Saturday morning, leaving the local community shocked. According to reports, at least 20 Buddha statues have gone missing. Jikmey Rinpoche of the monastery stated that he had noticed for months that some statues were gradually disappearing. However, he suggested that the thefts might have been committed out of ignorance.
“These statues are placed for people to seek peace and offer prayers. They are not antiques,” he said, adding that the act is unacceptable regardless of the intent. The Rinpoche expressed concern that replacing the stolen statues will become increasingly difficult if such incidents continue. “We never imagined that people could act in such a malicious manner. While CCTV cameras are installed within the monastery premises, the long rows of prayer wheels outside the main courtyard are not covered,” he added, emphasizing the need for additional surveillance.
Senior Veterinary Officer Dr. Darge Tsering, who noticed the empty altars during his morning walk, urged visitors to respect religious places. “Such irresponsible acts not only hurt religious sentiments but also create suspicion towards all visitors,” he said. Local residents have expressed strong resentment over the incident and have raised concerns about tourists. They pointed to recent cases of theft and shoplifting in Tawang, along with complaints from resorts, hotels, and home stays about items being stolen by visitors.
