8 theft cases of antiquities reported: Government

NEW DELHI: Eight cases of theft of antiquities have been reported from Centrally protected monuments and museums maintained by the Archeological Survey of India in 2014 and till date in 2015, Lok Sabha was informed today.

While six theft cases were reported in 2014, two such cases were reported in 2015 till date, Tourism and Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma said in a written reply.

Under the Antiquities and Art Treasures Act 1972, provisions exist for regulating the trade in antiquities and for registering specific categories of antiquities.

India is also a signatory to the 1970 UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Trafficking in cultural property, he said.

The provision for security at museums and protected monuments by deploying State Police, Private Security Guards and also CISF in selected places exists. Strict vigil is also maintained by the Customs Department at all airports and seaports and other law enforcing agencies like the CBI, DRI and the State Police.

National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities would document the antiquities and prepare a national database, which would help in establishing provenance in the retrieval of smuggled antiquities. The Mission would also promote public awareness, concern and participation in safeguarding of antiquarian wealth.