Bettiah: Two men were arrested after a joint team of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and police recovered a Buddha idol made of yellow metal, weighing around 7kg, from their possession in Gaunaha police station area of West Champaran district on Thursday night. A two-wheeler and two cellphones were also seized.The arrested men were identified as Sahid Ansari (40), a resident of Kanghusari village under Ramnagar police station in Bagaha police district, and Suddu Khan (30), a resident of Sabuni.The action followed a joint patrol by the SSB’s 44th battalion and police in Manguraha area. SSB commandant Balwant Singh Negi said the force received information about the alleged smuggling of the idol, following which the team was alerted.A team led by SSB inspector (general) Arun Kumar Singh intercepted the two men riding a two-wheeler on Manguraha Sainik Road. The idol was allegedly found inside a bag kept beneath the two-wheeler seat.SSB officials said the men were allegedly planning to sell the idol for a substantial amount. They were handed over to Gaunaha police, who are questioning them to ascertain the idol’s source and intended destination.
