Several chortens have been vandalised in Bumthang in the past few months. According to the local leaders from the district, three chortens in Tang, Ura, and Jalikhar were vandalised. Similarly, a small Nyepi Phodrang was also vandalised in Chhumey Gewog.
According to the Ura Gup, a chorten was vandalised in Shingkhar on July 4. He said that the culprit has not been caught yet.
Similarly, the Tang Tshogpa said that a chorten in Tang Gewog was also vandalised about three months ago. The tshogpa added that they lodged a complaint to the police after the incident.
The Thromde Ngotsab of Chamkhar Town also said that a chorten was vandalised in Jalikhar about a month ago.
A small Nyepi Phodrang has also been vandalised in Chumey Gewog according to the Chumey Gup.
The incident happened a fortnight ago. According to the gup, the Nyepi Phodrang was reconstructed after it was vandalised ten years ago.
Meanwhile, the Chhoekhor Gup said that there have been no such cases in Chhoekhor Gewog as of now. However, he said that the Dzongda has asked the local leaders to inform people in villages to be vigilant.
According to the Penal Code of Bhutan, the offence against Ku, Sung, Thuk-ten, and Zung is a first-degree felony whereby a defendant will be sentenced to life imprisonment if found guilty.
Tashi Yangden
Edited by Sherub Dorji
