Sakib Al Hasan
Nearly three thousand rare exhibits including 185 archaeological objects were lost from country`s only Centurion & historical Varendra Research Museum under Rajshahi University (RU have not yet been recovered.
So far, no action has been taken against those involved in the theft.Rajshahi University sources said that in the 457th syndicate meeting the authorities decided to take action against the perpetrators of the theft of ancient statues, Terracotta including antiques, rare publications and old currency coins from the museum. After a field visit of the museum on December 14, 2014 RU syndicate members took this decision.
Sources said, there were about 4,407 registered archaeological objects of which 185 are no longer available. 33 out of five thousands 971 registered ancient coins and 85 books out of 13 thousands 933 are not available. Besides, 3052 pieces publications out 13,576 (brochures, books, journals) have been lost from the museum.
Earlier university formed a sub-committee to review the issue before taking action against those responsible.
Despite of the submitted the full & final reports by the sub-syndicate to the university syndicate in the issue. But till now no action followed against the responsible persons. For this anger is spreading increasingly among the mass peoples in Rajshahi, sources said.
The Varendra Research Museum was established in 1960and handed over to the RU authority in 1964 in order to improve the quality of management of the museum.
A museum official said, a total of 85 archeology objects have been stolen from 1986 to 2014. These include, the statues of Uma-Maheshwar spouses, multiple Vishnu, Surya, petamota jambhala, Buddha, Hindu adherents candimurti a form of Kali, Buddhist pagodas, Brahma and Buddha statues, rare terracotta, brick adorned with art.
Recently university formed another inventory committee headed by Prof. Sultan Ahmed to prepare a full report on all resources of the museum.
Three others members of the committee are Prof. Chatra Ranjan, Prof. Nurul Kaium and Prof. Mahbubur Rahman. After two years of investigation the committee submitted its final report with recommendations.
Asked about the report, the head of inventory committee Prof. Sultan Ahmed said that secret report with recommendations has been submitted to the administration. But the implementation of the recommendations was stalled at the university syndicate.
