Artefacts returned to museum from ZIA

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Around four days into the stealing of two Paris-bound Vishnu statues from the Zia International Airport (ZIA), the government last evening brought the remaining 143 artefacts back to the National Museum.

Earlier in the day, a special meeting chaired by Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed decided not to send the age-old objects to the French capital before resolving the theft case.

It also decided to inform the French authorities that it would not be possible to go ahead with the plan for exhibition there.

A high-powered committee would be formed headed by the cabinet secretary to make a comprehensive report on the issue.

After the meeting, a highly placed source said the government would send a letter to the museum authorities informing them of the circumstances that led to cancellation of the shipment.

Besides, measures would be taken to brink back the relics that were despatched to the Guimet Museum on December 1.

Despite protests from citizens and art connoisseurs, the government was sending the two Gupta era idols along with 143 other artefacts to Paris for display at Guimet Museum under a bilateral agreement. Forty-two relics have already been shipped to the French capital.

Sculpted around 1500 years ago, ‘Vishnu’ and ‘Bust of Vishnu’ were stolen from the cargo village area at the Zia sometime between 10:00pm Friday and 12 noon Saturday while in the custody of Air France. The remainder of the works of art were kept at the airport as a massive countrywide search for the stolen ones continued.

Meanwhile, a Dhaka court yesterday placed the 15 people detained for suspected links to the art theft each on a five-day remand.

Talking to The Daily Star over phone, Bangladesh Ambassador in Paris Mohammed Ruhul Amin yesterday said the Guimet Museum authorities have already opened the boxes containing the 42 artefacts and been preparing to install them in three rooms.

“As far as I know they were secured as of Monday,” he added.

An official from Air France said the remaining artefacts were packed again in presence of all concerned officials late in the afternoon. A covered van of Homebound Courier Services carrying the relics entered the National Museum premises at around 7:25pm.

A press release from Press Information Department (PIB) said the meeting chaired by the chief adviser was attended by concerned high officials of the government.

It said the government made the decision taking into consideration the public sentiment arising out of the theft.

The heist triggered off fresh protests against the government move to allow the rare artefacts to be on display abroad.

Meanwhile, the five-member committee formed by the government to probe the incident may submit their report tomorrow.

“We are taking statements of the concerned officials. Hopefully, we will submit the report in time,” said Mushfiq Ahmed, a member of the committee and general manager of Biman Bangladesh Airlines.

He however did not say anything about their finds so far.

Contacted, the airport police said they were yet to have any possible leads to the missing statues.

ARRESTEES REMANDED
Sub-Inspector Monu Sohel Imtiaz of the Airport Police Station, who is also the investigation officer (IO) of the case, produced the 15 detainees before the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court and prayed for each to be remanded for 10 days. But the court granted for five days’.

Those remanded are Samiul Abedin, Masud Rana Saiful, Abu Bakar, Shariful Islam Manik, Mohammad Shahjahan, Mohammad Al Shamim, Belal Hossain, Amir Hamza, Abul Hossain, Abdul Halim Babul, Zaki Mahbub, Edward Roy, Debu Barua, Mohammad Solaiman and Sankar Chandra Dey.

As employees of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh, Air France and Voyager Airlines, they were on duty at the cargo village during the time relics are believed to be stolen.

Sohel Imtiaz told The Daily Star last night that they have already started quizzing the arrestees.

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