Kathmandu, Feb. 3: People’s representatives have urged Home Minister Bal Krishna Khand to launch an investigation and find whereabouts of an idol that was stolen from Bal Kumari temple at Sunakothi of Lalitpur Metropolitan City-27 in Lalitpur district.

A team of people’s representatives led by Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Pampha Bhusal on Thursday reached the Ministry at Singha Durbar and submitted a memorandum in this regard. “We urge an investigation and search of the stolen idol through the Central Investigation Bureau without any delay. We demand an arrest and action against the thieves as per the Ancient Memorial Preservation Act, 2013,” reads the memo.

“The stealing of the idol, a source of faith and belief for the residents of Sunakothi, has threatened religion, culture and customs of us.” The idol of Bal Kumari Mata dating back to the Lichhavi-era (c450-750 CE) was stolen from the temple on 22 January.

During the meeting, minister Bhusal urged the Home Minister to intensify the search for the stolen idol while apprising that she inspected the incident site with the help of the local administration.

The delegation team included Provincial Assembly members Ram Kaji Maharjan and Dinesh Maharjan, Guthi main Nayomas Nanda Bahadur Maharjan and Krishna Hari Maharjan, ward chair of the metropolis-27 Babu Raja Maharjan, and ward chair of the metropolis-26 Suresh Maharjan among others.