Crime: Ten choetens were vandalised in two weeks in Mongar.

The choetens were mostly those that were renovated by the villagers.

A choeten in Kilikhar was vandalised on November 21, the last day of Mongar Tshechu. Two choetens were vandalised at Tongshing two days later on November 23. On the night of November 25, three choetens were vandalised in Wengkhar.

All the vandalised choetens of Wengkhar and Tongshing were recently renovated to commemorate the 60th birth anniversary of Fourth Druk Gyalpo.

According to Dema, 55, the owner of the Jangchub Choeten vandalised at Yakpogang on December 1, the choeten was built 34 years ago. The choeten contained statues of Buddha besides other nangtens.

“The way the vandals destroy choetens that are located just in front of the house, I dare say they could do anything. I am scared,” said Dema. “We must find solutions to keep the vandals away.”

According to Mongar Mangmi Tenzin Wangchuk it is difficult to keep watch even with friends of police who are entrusted to safeguard the choetens in the chiwogs.

“What ways and methods we must adopt to protect the choetens must be settled upon very soon,” Tenzin Wangchuk said.

Mongar police are investigating the cases.

By Tashi Phuntsho