According to Area Police Office Kohalpur DSP Janak Shahi, Chetra Bahadur BC, 36, of Kotmaila-3, Salyan, Shiva Singh, 22, of Sakla-2, Jajarkot, Nawaraj Yogi, 24, and padma Chaudhari, 29, of Sitapur-4, Banke, Jit Prasad Chaurel, 28, Laxmi, 24, of Bilangu-7, Okhaldhunga and Bikash Shahi of Maila-4, Humla have been arrested.

DSP Shahi informed that the accused were staying at Kanchanpur-1, Banke based Rapti Riverside Cottage since January 27 and the incident came to light during an investigation after the police found them involved in suspicious activity.

The police recovered the 10 inch tall, 8 inch wide and 11.890 grams stolen statue from the farmhouse of Guru Lal Chaudhari in Baijapur, Agaiya.

The accused, in their preliminary statement, said that they had bought the statue from Badal Thapa of Dolpa for Rs 800,000.