GANGTOK, 14 Feb: Three persons claiming to be monks have been detained by the Melli check post police on suspicion of smuggling antiques out of the state this evening at around 7 PM.
Sources inform that the personnel at the check post grew suspicious of the trio when they produced ID cards introducing them as belonging to a monastery in South Sikkim. The ID cards looked ‘dodgy’ especially since this is not normal practice. When their luggage was checked, suspected antiques were found in their possession.
The alleged monks claimed to be heading towards Bodhgaya and they have been detained for further investigation. That, the three are monks and the objects found in their possession are antiques being smuggled outside the state will only be confirmed after further investigation, it is informed.
