Lalitpur, February 7
On Tuesday afternoon, onlookers were witness to a bizarre spectacle outside the Metropolitan Police Complex in Jawalakhel, Lalitpur.
Right in front of the police complex, people were searching for something, while a bull-dozer was humming nearby as part of the Melamchi drinking water project, for installing pipelines for the project.
What was it that those people were searching so keenly? In course of conversation, it came to light that some locals had found a potful of ancient coins on the site dug up for installation of pipes, yesterday. Those people took the ‘treasure-trove’ away, while police looked on, fortune diggers at work today said. Today, more keen eyes were trying to strike gold, again. Like yesterday, police remained mute spectators today as well.
Some people found some coins today as well. The coins looked pretty old and worn out. Inscriptions on the coins were not readable due to rusting.
Lalitpur chief district officer Dipak Kafle confirmed the unearthing of old coins.
After getting reports about this find, I informed the Department of Archaeology, he said, adding: I have information that DoA officials came and took the coins away.
When pointed that people were searching for those coins on Tuesday as well, Kafle said: I have no information about this.
He promised to inquire the matter further. Responding to a query, the DoA said the matter falls within the jurisdiction of the Monument Protection Office.
Who has those potful of coins now? The government authorities or local people? God only knows, perhaps.
