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

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The Speaker noted that the government, Dratshang and people have all been<br />

concerned about the security of many other sacred relics besides the Rangjung<br />

Kharsa Pani and many debates have been held concerning this. As submitted by<br />

the people, he said that the recovery and reinstatement of Rangjung Kharsa Pani<br />

in Punakha Dzong has been possible due to the blessings of the Triple Gem and<br />

the guardian deities, the good fortune of His Majesty the King and the collective<br />

merit of the people. Its recovery has been a very auspicious occasion. On behalf<br />

of the honourable members of the National Assembly, the Speaker extended their<br />

gratitude and appreciation to the Royal Bhutan Police, Ministry of Home Affairs,<br />

National Commission for Cultural Affairs, and the Dratshang Lhentshog for their<br />

role in helping recover the Rangjung Kharsa Pani.<br />

Concerning the law and punishment of criminals who steal relics and artifacts, he<br />

said that the most important responsibility of the National Assembly is to pass<br />

new legislations and amend existing ones. The Judiciary is responsible for<br />

interpreting the laws passed by the Assembly and for deciding on the verdicts. As<br />

such, the High Court is currently hearing the case of those involved in the theft of<br />

Rangjung Kharsa Pani. Although the people have repeatedly appealed in earlier<br />

sessions of the Assembly for awarding capital punishment to such criminals, it<br />

has been discussed that they be sentenced to life imprisonment in view of the fact<br />

that Bhutan is a Buddhist country. However, their sentences were to be more<br />

stringent in comparison to other convicts. The Speaker said that the arguments by<br />

some Chimis to award the most heavy of punishments, and the doubts expressed<br />

by others regarding the system of awarding penalties have been very clear.<br />

He asked the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Royal Bhutan Police to submit a<br />

report analyzing the existing system of punishing and imprisoning criminals<br />

stealing sacred nangten, and also propose necessary amendments in the next<br />

session of the National Assembly. His Majesty has issued a specific Kasho to the<br />

National Commission for Cultural Affairs and other related organizations<br />

63

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