1 TRANSLATION OF THE PROCEEDINGS AND ... - APFA News

The Hon’ble Minister for Health and Education commended the Chimis for their
expression of gratitude for the recovery of Rangjung Kharsa Pani. He informed
that the nangten are increasingly being taken outside the country every year. In
order to prevent the damage and loss of sacred kusung thukten that are still in the
country, the Hon’ble Minister proposed that the Government should consider
establishment of a fund to devise a system that will ensure them timely protection
and minimization of risks.
The Hon’ble Minister raised grave concern that if no actions are taken to prevent
the smuggling of antiques and nangten out of the country, a time may come when
religious artifacts and precious handicrafts may have to purchased or borrowed
from other countries to be used as exhibits in museums that may be established.
As an example, he pointed out that many old textile products, which were known
to be outside the country have to be asked for to be kept in the recently
inaugurated Textile Museum in Thimphu.
The Chimis of BCCI, Gasa, Paro and Samdrup Jongkhar reiterated the
significance of strict implementation of laws on such criminals to reduce the risk
of nangten robbery and vandalism. The lenient stance adopted by the courts has
nearly caused the irreplaceable loss of the country’s most sacred nangten. They
submitted that fresh and renewed discussions take place in the National Assembly
regarding the imposition of capital punishment to protect sacred nangten which
are the object of worship and reverence by many people.
The Chimis expressed concern that giving public accessibility to this invaluable
nangten whose powers equal that of thongdroel could actually aggravate the risk
of its loss. They enquired if the Dratshang were responsible for its loss and
entreated that after interrogating the accomplices of Sangchung, the most serious
of punishments be awarded to them.
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